AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
AbbeynounUS /ˈæbi/
a church associated with a monastery or convent
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
absolutelyadverbUS /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
accessoriesnounUS /ækˈsesəriz/
plural of “accessory” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
accumulatedadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd/
periodically accumulated over time
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading The company also was pleasant and presentable.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The company also was pleasant and presentable.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
cunningly-arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
dinner-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
functionnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃən/
(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
impoverishedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɒv.ər.ɪʃt/
Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
lightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
litadjectiveUS /lɪt/
provided with artificial light
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
MonknounUS /mʌŋk/
a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
MorrisnounUS /ˈmɔːrəs/
United States suffragist in Wyoming (1814-1902)
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
MuchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
platenounUS /pleɪt/
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The company also was pleasant and presentable.
pre-Reformation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
presentableadjectiveUS /prəˈzentəbəl/
fit to be seen
From this reading The company also was pleasant and presentable.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
PROMISEverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
PROPOSALnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
refectorynoun
a communal dining-hall (usually in a monastery)
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
side-boards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
storenounUS /stɔːr/
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, although the Monk family were impoverished, they still retained the store of plate accumulated by past generations.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE Although it consisted of but a dozen people, the dinner-party at the Abbey that night was something of a function.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Much of this silver was old and very beautiful, and when set out upon the great side-boards produced an effect well suited to that chamber and its accessories.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin with, the old refectory, with its stone columns and arches still standing as they were in the pre-Reformation days, lit with cunningly-arranged and shaded electric lights designed and set up by Morris, was an absolutely ideal place in which to dine.
