Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

move towards

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

German composer of instrumental music (especially symphonic and chamber music); continued to compose after he lost his hearing (1770-1827)

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

(Greek mythology) a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

without deviation

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

opinion or judgment

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

provided with artificial light

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

prolific Austrian composer and child prodigy; master of the classical style in all its forms of his time (1756-1791)

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

a form of address for a man

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

above and across; more than

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

participate in games or sport

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading He poured out wine; he bade Denham help himself.

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

cut with a saw

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

falsely emotional in a maudlin way

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

with low volume

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

a thing, without saying which

From this reading To judge from the expression in Katharine’s eyes it promised something—but he checked the approach to sentimentality.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She sat down to the piano; the door closed softly behind them.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

past form of “triumph” — prove superior

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

on a floor above

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

be dressed in

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading They went upstairs and he saw Katharine and Denham abstract themselves directly Cassandra had asked whether she might not play him something—some Mozart? some Beethoven?

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading The lamps were lit; their luster reflected itself in the polished wood; good wine was passed round the dinner-table; before the meal was far advanced civilization had triumphed, and Mr. Hilbery presided over a feast which came to wear more and more surely an aspect, cheerful, dignified, promising well for the future.