used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
analysisnounUS /əˈnæləsəs/
an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
billiardadjectiveUS /ˈbɪljərd/
of or relating to billiards
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
cheeredverbUS /tʃɪrd/
past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
cuesnounUS /kjuːz/
plural of “cue” — an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
dashesnounUS /ˈdæʃɪz/
plural of “dash” — distinctive and stylish elegance
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
dotsnounUS /dɑːts/
plural of “dot” — a very small circular shape
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
fanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
fencingnounUS /ˈfensɪŋ/
a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
set up or found
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
the act of retaining something
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
Jack'snounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
MisrulenounUS /mɪsˈruːl/
government that is inefficient or dishonest
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
playfullyadverbUS /ˈpleɪfəli/
in a playful manner
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
punctuatingverbUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːeɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “punctuate” — insert punctuation marks into
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
rappedverbUS /ræpt/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
scions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
self-constitutedadjective
constituted by or established by itself
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She rapped him playfully with her fan.
smoking-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
swayverbUS /sweɪ/
move back and forth or sideways
From this reading He peered into the smoking-room in passing and found several self-constituted Lords of Misrule holding full sway.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE BALL ENDS Jack's mood would have defied analysis as he made his way through the crowded hall to the rear veranda.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Two young scions of great New York families were fencing with billiard cues, punctuating each other's coats with blue chalk dots and dashes, while a swaying ring cheered them on.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading One youth emerged from the room with steps obviously unsteady and claimed one of a pair of girls on their way to the ballroom, as his partner for the dance.
