Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

the state of being absent

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

(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 They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

in addition

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

-ing form of “cackle” — talk or utter in a cackling manner

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

to double the degree

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

to say again or imitate

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

affording satisfaction or pleasure

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

not serious in content or attitude or behavior

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

in a gay manner

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

plural of “goose” — web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

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

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

occurring or falling between events or points in time

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

habitual

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

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

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

impressiveness in scale or proportion

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

used to form the superlative

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

-ing form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

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

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

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

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Young M. de Louvois was there and the old Duchesse de Pontchartrain, also M. Crébillon, the most inveterate scandal-monger of his time, and several others.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

a source of difficulty

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

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

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading They all talked in whispers, glad that the music drowned every echo of this most enjoyable conversation.

which person or people

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was one group most especially so engaged; at the further corner of the room, and with sixteen dancing pairs intervening between it and the royal daïs, there was little fear of Her Majesty overhearing any frivolous comments on the all-absorbing topic of the day, or of Madame Lydie herself being made aware of their existence.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Here Madame de la Beaume, a young and pretty matron, possessed of a good-looking husband who did not trouble her much with his company, was the centre of a gaily cackling little crowd, not unlike an assemblage of geese beside a stream at eventide.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading GOSSIP Whilst the younger people danced, the older ones gossiped, and the absence of any known facts rendered the gossip doubly interesting.