used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Biggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
bouquetnounUS /buːˈkeɪ/
an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
carnationsnounUS /kɑːrˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “carnation” — Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
put on clothes
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
duchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
frecklesnounUS /ˈfrekəlz/
plural of “freckle” — a small brownish spot (of the pigment melanin) on the skin
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
gawkverbUS /ɡɔːk/
look with amazement; look stupidly
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
destroyed or killed
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Hattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
HermannounUS /ˈhɜːrmən/
United States jazz musician and bandleader (1913-1987)
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
the literary culture
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
MethodistadjectiveUS /ˈmeθədəst/
of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
orchestranounUS /ˈɔːrkəstrə/
a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
peasnounUS /piːz/
plural of “pea” — seed of a pea plant used for food
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
SetonnounUS /ˈsiːtən/
United States religious leader who was the first person born in the United States to be canonized (1774-1821)
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Seton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
SkinflintnounUS /ˈskɪnflɪnt/
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
smilaxnoun
sometimes placed in Smilacaceae
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
Tolliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
vindicationnounUS /vɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
a Caucasian
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
