used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
abominablyadverb
in an offensive and hateful manner
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
ACQUAINTANCESnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
AshtonnounUS /ˈæʃtən/
British choreographer (1906-1988)
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
exaltedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːltɪd/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
opinion or judgment
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
Governor'snounUS /ˈɡʌvərnərz/
possessive form of “governor” — the head of a state government
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
the sound of laughing
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
engage in
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
a particular point in time
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
in motion
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
a human being
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
repentverbUS /rɪˈpent/
turn away from sin or do penitence
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Arm in arm the husband and wife now moved toward the drawing room.
cut with a saw
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
shimmerverbUS /ˈʃɪmər/
shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
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 NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
in or at that place or location
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next moment with a laugh of mingled embarrassment and pleasure Betty Graham put up her hand, covering her husband's eyes.
upturnedadjective
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Wait until the girls and the receiving party appear and then you will see what an ordinary person the new 'Governor's Lady' is and repent having raised humble Betty Ashton to such an exalted position."
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
in the company of; together with
From this reading NEW NAMES FOR OLD ACQUAINTANCES THERE was a shimmer of silver and blue on the stairs and then the man with his eyes upturned saw his wife moving toward him in a kind of cloud.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You must not look at me like that, Anthony, or you will make me abominably vain," she whispered.
