used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
alteringnounUS /ˈɔːltərɪŋ/
the sterilization of an animal
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
approveverbUS /əˈpruːv/
give sanction to
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
Cecily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
criticallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
recognizable; marked
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
put on clothes
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
the act of departing
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
on one occasion
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
preoccupationsnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “preoccupation” — an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
Rose'snounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
possessive form of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading She had invited pleasant people for Rose’s farewell dinner, and she hoped the evening was going to be a success.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading She had already been into the dining-room to see and approve the table decoration, and she now looked critically about the drawing-room, altering the position now of a bowl of roses, now of one of the lights.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
up to a particular time
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was tired, and after asking for Rose, and hearing that she was in her room, she decided to dress at once, and afterwards rest on the sofa in the drawing-room, till the arrival of her guests.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading As she walked into the room some time later, the surface of her mind was full of little preoccupations and interests.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
at the time that
From this reading When Cecily returned, it was about six o’clock.
