Chapter XIII · The Great Kennyfeck Dinner

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

(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 The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

the state of being certain

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

plural of “eagle” — any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

an old word for “before”

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

liveliness of mind or spirit

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

divisible by two

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the organ of sight

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the wool of a sheep or similar animal

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

set up or found

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve)

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

in a joyous manner

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

a woman host

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

young sheep

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

immediately past

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

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. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the act of departing

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

archaic terms for army

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

plural of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The “first man” to a dinner is the next most miserable thing to the “last man” at leaving it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

impressive in appearance

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

according to the clock

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

unequivocally detestable

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

a human being

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

cut with a saw

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

possessive form of “secretary” — a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

a state of social isolation

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

lengthen or extend in duration or space

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

a special situation

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

plural of “thistle” — any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

up to a particular time

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

two times

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

precisely as stated

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Orders”--as bright as the eye could see, The “Golden Fleece,” and the “Saint Esprit;” Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great “Nizam;” Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from “Louis Philippe,” So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

which person or people

From this reading Mrs. Thorpe's Fête at Twickenham Although Mrs. Kennyfeck's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs. Kennyfeck, who was a very shrewd observer of everything in high life, having remembered that it twice occurred to herself and Mr. K. to have arrived the first at the Secretary's “Lodge,” in the Park, and that the noble hostess did not descend till at least some two or three others had joined them.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The cold air of solitude, the awkwardness of seeming too eager to be punctual, the certainty, almost inevitable, that the next person who arrives is perfectly odious to you, and that you will have to sustain a _tête-à-tête_ with the man of all others you dislike,--all these are the agreeables of the first man; but he who now had to sustain them was, happily, indifferent to their tortures.