used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
affinitynounUS /əˈfɪnəti/
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
(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 All the arts are closely related to each other.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
artsnounUS /ɑːrts/
studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
creatornounUS /kriˈeɪtər/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
dinner-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
epicadjectiveUS /ˈepɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
fusionnounUS /ˈfjuːʒən/
an occurrence that involves the production of a union
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
ingredientsnounUS /ˌɪnˈɡriːdiənts/
plural of “ingredient” — a component of a mixture or compound
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
the local environment
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
salad-dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
salad-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
smoothnessnounUS /ˈsmuːðnəs/
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading A dinner-party, a salad-dressing or an epic poem demands creative effort, and is successful in so far as its creator has made an effective fusion of its separate parts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the arts are closely related to each other.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading People are not unlike the ingredients of a salad-dressing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The smoothness of the dressing depends upon a mysterious chemical affinity that is recognized by the salad-maker but never wholly understood.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It is always, under the best of conditions, uncertain how a dinner-party will "go off."
