used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a pretty scene.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
any thing at all
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
ball-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
at any time
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
a social unit living together
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
moving swiftly
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a pretty scene.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
measuresnounUS /ˈmeʒərz/
plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
the force of workers available
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
coated with paint
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was a pretty scene.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
recurring again and again
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
roseateadjectiveUS /ˈroʊziət/
of something having a dusty purplish pink color
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading It was a pretty scene.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
sensuousadjectiveUS /ˈsenʃəwəs/
taking delight in beauty
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
unperturbably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
waltznounUS /wɔːlts/
an assured victory (especially in an election)
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a pretty scene.
waxedadjectiveUS /wækst/
treated with wax
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
which person or people
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
in the company of; together with
From this reading The long ball-room was draped in roseate colors and decorated with flowers.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The walls were exquisitely painted in appropriate figures, and the waxed oaken floor shone so bright that it reflected the flying figures of the men and women who whirled around it in the sensuous measures of the gay waltz.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you ever see anything so pretty?" repeated Mrs. West, with a certain pride in this grand old family whom she served; and her niece answered, unperturbably:
