Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

the lowest part of the musical range

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

give encouragement to

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a republic in central Africa; achieved independence from Belgium in 1960

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

form or compose

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

English surgeon who discovered Cowper's gland (1666-1709)

From this reading COWPER.

plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

having an illustrious reputation; respected

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

at any time

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

money paid out; an amount spent

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

ludicrously odd

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

plural of “fiddle” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

usually; as a rule

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

fill with sublime emotion

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a polite name for any woman

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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 It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a form of address for a man

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

inflected form of “mutiny” — engage in a mutiny against an authority

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

the act of providing approval and support

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

on the contrary

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a fine quality of black tea native to China

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading THE TEA-TABLE.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading THE TEA-TABLE.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

one of the digits of the foot

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

a source of difficulty

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

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

From this reading On the present occasion, the lion of the hour, Mr. Francis Tyrrel, had so little answered the high-wrought expectations of Lady Penelope, that she rather regretted having ever given herself any trouble about him, and particularly that of having manoeuvred herself into the patronage of the tea-table for the evening, to the great expenditure of souchong and congo.

the act of using

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

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

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

(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 It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

in or at the place that

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

during the time that

From this reading ----While the cups, Which cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was common at the Well, for the fair guests occasionally to give tea to the company,--such at least as from their rank and leading in the little society, might be esteemed fit to constitute themselves patronesses of an evening; and the same lady generally carried the authority she had acquired into the ball-room, where two fiddles and a bass, at a guinea a night, with a _quantum sufficit_ of tallow candles, (against the use of which Lady Penelope often mutinied,) enabled the company--to use the appropriate phrase--"to close the evening on the light fantastic toe."