used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
buffet-wagon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
Bylant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
divisible by two
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
the act of giving
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
manornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
the force of workers available
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
minuetnounUS /mɪˌnjuːˈet/
a stately court dance in the 17th century
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
modernismnounUS /ˈmɑːdərnɪzəm/
genre of art and literature that makes a self-conscious break with previous genres
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
musiciansnounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
persuasionnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒən/
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
punch-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
rompnounUS /rɑːmp/
an easy victory
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
sacrificingverbUS /ˈsækrəfaɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “sacrifice” — endure the loss of
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
not in physical motion
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
terminatedadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪtɪd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
vasesnounUS /ˈveɪsəz/
plural of “vas” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading As the manor house was still dependent upon gas the hall was illuminated by pine torches, safely ensconced in tall vases.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The band was in a small gallery, built originally for musicians, at the left of the stair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/
having wheels; often used in combination
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The minuet, which had terminated in a romp, was over, and the guests were crowded about a punch-bowl which had been wheeled in on a buffet-wagon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The girls had accepted the idea of bygone costumes with enthusiasm, but the men had required a good deal of persuasion.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bylant’s friends had protested at what would look like giving their countenance to a brand of fiction they despised, and at sacrificing their earnest modernism for even a night.
