Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

(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 Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

contrived by art rather than nature

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

plural of “chorus” — any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

informal intensifiers

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

a female human offspring

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

plural of “earring” — jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading HARCOURT GATHERS HIS FIRST FRUITS.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading HARCOURT GATHERS HIS FIRST FRUITS.

plural of “gather” — sewing consisting of small folds or puckers made by pulling tight a thread in a line of stitching

From this reading HARCOURT GATHERS HIS FIRST FRUITS.

comparative of “gay” — bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

plural of “guinea” — a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading HARCOURT GATHERS HIS FIRST FRUITS.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading HARCOURT GATHERS HIS FIRST FRUITS.

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

German composer of operas in a style that influenced Richard Wagner (1791-1864)

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

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

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

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

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

relating to or composed for an orchestra

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

a human being

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

on the contrary

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

third-person singular of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

giving satisfaction

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

having the color of dry straw

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

precisely as stated

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading The party in Mrs. Tredethlyn’s opera-box that evening was a very pleasant one.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Her diamond earrings were the biggest in the opera-house; though it must be confessed that a straw-coloured tint, which the connoisseur repudiates, pervaded the gems that the market-gardener had bought for his daughter--size, rather than purity of water, being the quality for which Mr. Grunderson selected his diamonds.

French painter (1684-1721)

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

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

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whatever business had taken Harcourt Lowther to Richmond must have been tolerably satisfactory in its result, for that gentleman’s spirits were gayer than usual as he stood behind Maude’s chair in the shadow of the crimson curtain, talking to her under cover of all those crashing choruses and grand orchestral effects which Meyerbeer must surely have composed with a view to comfortable conversation.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.

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

From this reading Miss Grunderson was gorgeous in thirty guineas worth of blue moiré antique _à la Watteau_, and exhibited a small fortune in the way of lace and artificial flowers upon her plump little person.