used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He whistled, meditating upon it for a while.
Abinger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
(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 It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
in addition
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
arrayingverbUS /ərˈeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “array” — lay out orderly or logically in a line or as if in a line
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
Bramham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
CarsonnounUS /ˈkɑːrsən/
United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
Carson'snounUS /ˈkɑːrsənz/
possessive form of “carson” — United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
a person who is in charge
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
DurbannounUS /ˈdɜːrbən/
a port city in eastern South Africa on the Indian Ocean; resort and industrial center
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
electedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektəd/
subject to popular election
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading He whistled, meditating upon it for a while.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
PortalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
pranking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading Just as he was choosing some cigars for the night at the dining-room table, Carson's telegram arrived.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He whistled, meditating upon it for a while.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, this Carson!" he called out to Abinger, who was in a neighbouring room, also arraying himself for the festival.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He whistled, meditating upon it for a while.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading He whistled, meditating upon it for a while.
which person or people
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
wild-geese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bramham had dressed early, for he had been elected by Mrs. Portal to be one of the wild-geese who were to escort her house-party to the Town Hall.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was the night of the Club ball, the first and chief event of the Durban season, and all the fashionable world was busily pranking itself for the occasion.
