used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
anticipationsnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “anticipation” — an expectation
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
assembleverbUS /əˈsembəl/
create by putting components or members together
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
make calm or still
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
CROWNEDadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading LOVE CROWNED.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
extinctadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
a man of refinement
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading LOVE CROWNED.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
merchantsnounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/
plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
Quintem's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
retrospectnounUS /ˈretrəspekt/
contemplation of things past
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
survivingadjectiveUS /sərˈvaɪvɪŋ/
still in existence
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Late on a fair afternoon of May, wedding guests began to assemble at old Van Quintem's house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
which person or people
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Heavy antique carriages rolled up to the door, with retired merchants and their wives.
a late time of life
From this reading The old gentleman had been out of society many years; and he improved this happy occasion to bring together his few surviving relatives, and friends of his former business days.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The retired merchants were of a pattern not altogether extinct in New York, who, at the ages of sixty years and upward, had cleared their skirts of business, and settled down to a calm retrospect of the past, and serene anticipations of the future.
