used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
applausenounUS /əˈplɔːz/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
artistsnounUS /ˈɑːrtɪsts/
plural of “artist” — a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
dazzlinglyadverb
in a manner or to a degree that dazzles the beholder
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
divisible by two
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
expenditurenounUS /ɪkˈspendətʃər/
money paid out; an amount spent
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
a man of refinement
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
only a very short time before
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
and nothing more
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
immediately past
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
lavishadjectiveUS /ˈlævɪʃ/
very generous
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
set afire or burning
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
in other respects or ways
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
overflowingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərfloʊɪŋ/
covered with water
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
overturenounUS /ˈoʊvərtʃər/
orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
parterres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
prosceniumnoun
the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
resounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
solenounUS /soʊl/
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/
plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
tiersnounUS /tiːrz/
plural of “tier” — a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
variegatedadjectiveUS /ˈverɪɡeɪtɪd/
having a variety of colors
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
(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 The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
in or at the place that
From this reading Every where else the dazzlingly lighted spaces and tiers of boxes, with their rich parterres of ladies, offered a brilliant and variegated picture.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
belonging to which person
From this reading It was for the overture, whose last tones had just resounded.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The world of artists, as well as aristocracy, was fully represented.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The theatre was filled to overflowing in every place, with the sole exception of one small proscenium box close to the stage; this was occupied by a single elderly gentleman, probably some rich eccentric, whom it pleased to procure by lavish expenditure of money the entire possession of a box, as on such an evening it would otherwise hardly have been obtained.
but in spite of that
From this reading A storm of applause rolled through the opera house, and the curtain had not even been drawn up as yet.
