used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
AmateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
annalsnounUS /ˈænəlz/
reports of the work of a society or learned body etc
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
best-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
BurgessnounUS /ˈbɜːrdʒəs/
English writer of satirical novels (1917-1993)
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
Bursley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
commemorativenounUS /kəˈmemrətɪv/
an object (such as a coin or postage stamp) made to mark an event or honor a person
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
cynicismnounUS /ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/
a cynical feeling of distrust
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
dressmakersnounUS /ˈdresmeɪkərz/
plural of “dressmaker” — someone who makes or mends dresses
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
entertainmentsnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənts/
plural of “entertainment” — an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
fête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
histrionicadjectiveUS /ˌhɪstriˈɑːnɪk/
characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
Leonora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
OperaticadjectiveUS /ˌɑːpərˈætɪk/
of or relating to or characteristic of opera
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
relyingverbUS /riˈlaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
Stanway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
surpassverbUS /sərˈpæs/
distinguish oneself
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE DANCE About three months after its rendering of _Patience_, the Bursley Amateur Operatic Society arranged to give a commemorative dance in the very scene of that histrionic triumph.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fête was to surpass in splendour all previous entertainments of the kind recorded in the annals of the town.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was talked about for weeks in advance; several dressmakers nearly died of it; and as the day approached the difficulty of getting one's self invited became extreme.
at the time that
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She smiled with a calmness which had in it a touch of gentle cynicism.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You know, Mrs. Stanway,' said Harry Burgess when he met Leonora one afternoon in the street, 'we are relying on you to be the best-dressed woman in the place.'
