used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
from appearances alone
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Father, however, was there, at his best and reassuring everybody.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
bridegroomnounUS /ˈbraɪdɡruːm/
a man who has recently been married
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
congratulatedverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/
past form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
Di
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
DiananounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
every person
From this reading Father, however, was there, at his best and reassuring everybody.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
flower-decked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
footmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
half-hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
hiredadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪərd/
having services engaged for a fee
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Father, however, was there, at his best and reassuring everybody.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
intense and profound fear
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Father, however, was there, at his best and reassuring everybody.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
inclusiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːsɪv/
including much or everything; and especially including stated limits
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
information about recent and important events
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
pomatumnoun
hairdressing consisting of a perfumed oil or ointment
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading Father, however, was there, at his best and reassuring everybody.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no stare of consternation or half-hidden horror on any face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We dashed home to get news of Diana, and it was a relief to find everything decorous and apparently serene at the house.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We were informed by a band of footmen, hired with powder and pomatum inclusive, for the occasion, that the bride had arrived safely.
but in spite of that
From this reading But in the flower-decked drawing-room, with its effective marble pillars (Di and Father had taken the house on the strength of that drawing-room, so well designed for a wedding reception), the bride and bridegroom had not yet stationed themselves to smile and be congratulated, although guests had begun to arrive.
