used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
speak to
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
(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 There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
assemblages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
Chestons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Do come down off the fence, Mr. Smith.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
consistentadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪstənt/
(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
damsels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
distinguishesverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Do come down off the fence, Mr. Smith.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Do come down off the fence, Mr. Smith.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Do come down off the fence, Mr. Smith.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
forfeitsnounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪts/
plural of “forfeit” — something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
and nothing more
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Do come down off the fence, Mr. Smith.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
PennnounUS /pen/
Englishman and Quaker who founded the colony of Pennsylvania (1644-1718)
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
proportionnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃən/
the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
protegée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
Quimby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
tastefuladjectiveUS /ˈteɪstfəl/
having or showing or conforming to good taste
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In a short time Mrs. Quimby missed her protegée, and looking round for him she exclaimed--"Oh! if there is not Mr. Smith a sitting on a rail, just back of me, all the time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
unhesitatinglyadverbUS /ənˈhezɪteɪtɪŋli/
without hesitation
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
precisely as stated
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The old lady took her seat under one of the large trees, and entered unhesitatingly into whatever conversation was within her hearing; frequently calling away the Chestons to ask them questions or address to them remarks.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The company generally divided into groups; some sat, some walked, some talked; and some, retreating farther into the woods, amused themselves and each other with singing, or playing forfeits.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There was, as is usual in Philadelphia assemblages, a very large proportion of handsome young ladies; and all were dressed in that consistent, tasteful, and decorous manner which distinguishes the fair damsels of the city of Penn.
