used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
arbitersnounUS /ˈɑːrbətərz/
plural of “arbiter” — someone with the power to settle matters at will
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
a female human offspring
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
Elinor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
entertainmentsnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənts/
plural of “entertainment” — an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
estimationnounUS /ˌestəˈmeɪʃən/
a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation)
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
exclusiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/
not divided or shared with others
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
expandingverbUS /ɪkˈspændɪŋ/
-ing form of “expand” — extend in one or more directions
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
a young female
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
guerdonnoun
a reward or payment
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
Kingsley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
MayflowernounUS /ˈmeɪflaʊər/
the ship in which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from England to Massachusetts in 1620
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
Maynard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
come together
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
Middleville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
nineteennounUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
on one occasion
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
partakeverbUS /pɑːrˈteɪk/
have some of the qualities or attributes of something
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
presumablyadverbUS /prəˈzuːməbli/
by reasonable assumption
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
prickingnoun
the act of puncturing with a small point
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
reinsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
resentmentnounUS /rɪˈzentmənt/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
rivalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
not often
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
self-appointedadjective
designated or chosen by yourself
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The arbiters of social fate in Middleville assembled at Mrs. Maynard's on a Monday afternoon, presumably to partake of tea.
trianglenounUS /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
a three-sided polygon
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
tribunalnounUS /trəˈbjuːnəl/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Kingsley, the third member of the great triangle, claimed an ancestor on the Mayflower, which was in her estimation a guerdon of blue blood.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Her elaborate and exclusive entertainments could never be rivalled by those of Mrs. Wrapp. She was a widow with one child, the daughter Elinor, a girl of nineteen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
Wrapp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Wrapp was the leading spirit of this self-appointed tribunal--a circumstance of expanding, resentment to Mrs. Maynard, who had once held the reins with aristocratic hands.
zestnounUS /zest/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading Seldom, however, did they meet without adding zest to the occasion by a pricking down of names.
