adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
artistenoun
a public performer (a dancer or singer)
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
audiencenounUS /ˈɑːdiəns/
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
Blakeney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
chairsnounUS /tʃerz/
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
charmingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/
pleasing or delighting
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
DancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
desultorily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
disposedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspoʊzd/
having made preparations
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
enfiladenoun
gunfire directed along the length rather than the breadth of a formation
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
glasshouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/
most important element
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
music-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
obtainedverbUS /əbˈteɪnd/
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
octagonnounUS /ˈɑːktəɡɑːn/
an eight-sided polygon
From this reading Close to the main ballroom was the octagon music-room which was brilliantly illuminated, and in which a large number of chairs had been obviously disposed for the comfort of an audience.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
principalnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
ravishingadjectiveUS /ˈrævɪʃɪŋ/
stunningly beautiful
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
rumournounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
singverbUS /sɪŋ/
deliver by singing
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
songsnounUS /sɔːŋz/
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Into this room many of the guests had already assembled.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
unheardadjectiveUS /ənˈhɜːrd/
not necessarily inaudible but not heard
From this reading There was a rumour that a new and charming French artiste was to sing a few peculiarly ravishing songs, unheard in England before.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Dancing had been going on for some time, but the evening was close, and there seemed to be a growing desire on the part of Lady Blakeney's guests to wander desultorily through the gardens and glasshouses, or sit about where some measure of coolness could be obtained.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It all occurred just before midnight, in one of the smaller rooms, which lead in enfilade from the principal ballroom.
