used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
(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 By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
arisenverbUS /ərˈɪzən/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
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 The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
GablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
of great significance or value
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
IrisnounUS /ˈaɪrəs/
plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
Kemp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
immediately past
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
set afire or burning
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
not any; not one
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
not divisible by two
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The guests began to arrive early, in order to have a long evening of enjoyment.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
sablenounUS /ˈseɪbəl/
an artist's brush made of sable hairs
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Kemp, Iris, and Dorothy were all seated in the general sitting-room discussing the last but by no means least important matter of who should receive the guests.
the state of being asleep
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
swainnounUS /sweɪn/
a man who is the lover of a man or woman
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
at the time that
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The night of the ball came at last--the night which had been looked forward to so anxiously for weeks by many a maiden and brave swain.
which person or people
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading By the time night had drawn her sable curtains over the sleeping earth all the preparations had been completed at Gray Gables, and when the lights were lighted it presented such a brilliant spectacle that those who witnessed never forgot it.
wreckingnounUS /ˈrekɪŋ/
the event of a structure being completely demolished and leveled
From this reading Late that afternoon an odd discussion had arisen which came near wrecking the whole affair.
