used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
AWKWARDadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
for the reason that
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
lacking funds
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
cackled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
coupnounUS /kuː/
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
DowagernounUS /ˈdaʊədʒər/
a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
not any; not one
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
a human being
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
PREDICAMENTnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
RobertsnounUS /ˈrɑːbərts/
United States biochemist (born in England) honored for his discovery that some genes contain introns (born in 1943)
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
StanleynounUS /ˈstænli/
United States inventor who built a steam-powered automobile (1849-1918)
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
precisely as stated
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a great _coup_ for any hostess, and of tremendous force, because absolutely unexpected.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A VERY AWKWARD PREDICAMENT Had Mrs. Roberts' interests not led her in another direction, she must have felt no small gratification at the effect which her speech produced.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
which person or people
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading A number of guests had been invited for this particular evening to swell the party, making a dinner of sixteen, and it was delightful to witness the manner in which they took the announcement.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The men received it in silence, while the women broke instantly into a confused, joyous cackled exclamation, surprise and curiosity.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The Dowager was the person who probably derived the most satisfaction from the scene, for her work was over and she could survey it calmly; but Stanley, though the table and the guests whirled before his eyes, caught some lightning glimpses of various expressions, which he was destined never to forget.
