used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading THE QUEEN OF THE BALL.
ball-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
approval
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
Darrell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
fountainsnounUS /ˈfaʊntənz/
plural of “fountain” — a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
givernounUS /ˈɡɪvər/
someone who devotes himself completely
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE QUEEN OF THE BALL.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading He had ordered a fine band of music and a magnificent banquet.
OswaldnounUS /ˈɔːzwɔːld/
United States assassin of President John F. Kennedy (1939-1963)
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading THE QUEEN OF THE BALL.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
determined
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
statuesnounUS /ˈstætʃuːz/
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sir Oswald had resolved that the ball should be one that should reflect credit on the giver and the guests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE QUEEN OF THE BALL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
tiernounUS /tiːr/
a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
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 grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
a Caucasian
From this reading The grounds were to be illuminated, colored lamps being placed among the trees; the ball-room was a gorgeous mass of brilliant bloom--tier after tier of magnificent flowers was ranged along the walls, white statues gleaming from the bright foliage, and little fountains here and there sending up their fragrant spray.
a late time of life
From this reading It was many years since Darrell Court had been so gay.
