used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
antecedentsnounUS /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/
plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
BaronessnounUS /ˈberənɪs/
a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
Berkow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
condescendedverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsendɪd/
past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
to come or go into
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
equivocaladjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
Eugenie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
at any time
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
exclusiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/
not divided or shared with others
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
independentlyadverbUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəntli/
on your own; without outside help
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
invitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
immediately past
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
lavishadjectiveUS /ˈlævɪʃ/
very generous
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
neeadjectiveUS /niː/
(meaning literally “born”) used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
not any; not one
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
nobilitynounUS /noʊˈbɪləti/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
parvenuadjective
characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
procuredverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrd/
past form of “procure” — get by special effort
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
scionnounUS /ˈsaɪən/
a descendent or heir
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
not in physical motion
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The nobility of the neighbouring town, and its leading personages in particular, had always been exclusive to the last degree.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
universallyadverbUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəli/
everywhere
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had procured for Berkow one special triumph, independently of the pleasure he must have felt at seeing how numerous were the guests around him.
belonging to which person
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
Windeg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The state dinner, prepared with lavish expense and on a most luxurious scale, was over at last.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was, and would ever remain, a scion of one of the most ancient and noble houses of the land.
but in spite of that
From this reading No member of it had condescended as yet to enter the house of a parvenu, whose equivocal antecedents still shut him out from the highest circles of society; but the invitations bearing the name of Eugenie Berkow, _nee_ Baroness Windeg, had been universally accepted.
