used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
(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 At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
ball-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
convergingnounUS /kənˈvɜːrdʒɪŋ/
the act of converging (coming closer)
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
inhabitantnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənt/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARK JERVIS IS UNMASKED.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
JERVIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARK JERVIS IS UNMASKED.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
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 At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading MARK JERVIS IS UNMASKED.
the force of workers available
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
metamorphosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
muslinnounUS /ˈmʌzlən/
plain-woven cotton fabric
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
pencilsnounUS /ˈpensəlz/
plural of “pencil” — a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
a light shade of red
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
programmes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
punctualadjectiveUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːəl/
acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
only a very short time before
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
screensnounUS /skriːnz/
plural of “screen” — a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
in the direction of
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
UNMASKEDverbUS /ənˈmæskt/
past form of “unmask” — reveal the true nature of
From this reading MARK JERVIS IS UNMASKED.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
upsidenounUS /ˈʌpˈsaɪd/
the highest or uppermost side of anything
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
verandahs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general effect was dazzling--Persian carpets, rich draperies, Chinese lanterns, Japanese screens, great palms, abounded in the verandahs, and the ball-room was a blaze of candles, mirrors, and pink muslin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The oldest inhabitant scarcely recognized it, it was so completely metamorphosed, and turned back to front and upside down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At nine o’clock--Indian balls are punctual and early--many lights were to be seen converging in all directions towards the club.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The reception rooms were blocked up by girls and men, busy with programmes and pencils.
