used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
(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 Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
bal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
carpetedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪd/
covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
put or send forth
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
demonsnounUS /ˈdiːmənz/
plural of “demon” — an evil supernatural being
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
give a description of
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
dominoesnounUS /ˈdɑːmənoʊz/
any of several games played with small rectangular blocks
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
half the width of an em
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
frightfullyadverbUS /ˈfraɪtfəli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
a man of refinement
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
depressingly dark
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
intriguedverbUS /ˈɪntriɡd/
past form of “intrigue” — cause to be interested or curious
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
joyousnessnoun
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
l'opera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
immediately past
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
masqué
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
not any; not one
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
noir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
and nothing more
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
pillarnounUS /ˈpɪlər/
a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
pourtraying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
sans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
sheepishadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːpɪʃ/
like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
skimverbUS /skɪm/
travel on the surface of water
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
express in speech
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
toutnounUS /taʊt/
someone who buys tickets to an event in order to resell them at a profit
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
hard to endure
From this reading Here, a couple _en costume_; there, a man leaning against a pillar, looking frightfully sheepish, and trying to smile and retort.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
except if; if not
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
a vivid mental image
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Need we describe a _bal de l'opera_?--we mean, in all its varied groups, its mystery, its joyousness!
in or at the place that
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading Then the almost silent whispering groups, like muffled demons.
which person or people
From this reading 'Tis an Englishman, _sans masqué_, of course, (no gentleman covers his face, unless he has a motive for so doing,) who is dreadfully intrigued by two black dominoes, who are telling him all he has been doing the last fortnight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Or only skim over the surface, and speak of the mounting the carpeted stair, with the immense mirrors on the landing, where you are startled at first by the shadow you cast upon it--a gloomy vision pourtraying _tout en noir_!
