used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
blush-red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
BrightonnounUS /ˈbraɪtən/
a city in East Sussex in southern England that is a popular resort; site of the University of Sussex
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
candelabranounUS /ˌkændəˈlɑːbrə/
branched candlestick; ornamental; has several lights
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
dinner-parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
EllisonnounUS /ˈelɪsən/
United States novelist who wrote about a young Black man and his struggles in American society (1914-1994)
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
globesnounUS /ɡloʊbz/
plural of “globe” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
HERBSnounUS /ɜːrbz/
plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
the state of being honored
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
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 Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
provided with artificial light
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
neighbournounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
OXnounUS /ɑːks/
an adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
pyramidsnounUS /ˈpɪrəmɪdz/
plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
sateverbUS /seɪt/
fill to satisfaction
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
semi-political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
get rid of
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
softly-tinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
STALLEDverbUS /stɔːld/
past form of “stall” — postpone doing what one should be doing
From this reading STALLED OX AND A DINNER OF HERBS.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading Of course aunt and nephew sate together; Mrs. Ellison had arranged that; knowing that at these semi-political dinner-parties the company was frequently a trifle mixed, she took care that on one side at least she should have a pleasant neighbour.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But on this particular evening, as it happened, Vincent had promised to dine at home; for his aunt was returning to Brighton on the following day; and there was to be a little farewell banquet given in her honour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
at the time that
From this reading And indeed when the guests had taken their places—there were about thirty in all—the table presented a pretty sight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading From end to end it was a mass of flowers; at intervals there were pyramids of ice, draped with roses, blush-red and yellow; but the candles in the tall candelabra were not lit—the softly-tinted globes of the electric light shed a sufficient and diffused lustre.
