used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
consider or hold as true
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
(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 We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
Betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
ceremoniesnounUS /ˈserəmoʊniz/
plural of “ceremony” — a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
being joined in close association
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
EngagementsnounUS /enˈɡeɪdʒmənts/
plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
EtiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
of great significance or value
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
not any; not one
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
plighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
spontaneitynounUS /ˌspɑːntəˈniːəti/
the quality of being spontaneous and coming from natural feelings without constraint
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
suitornounUS /ˈsuːtər/
a man who courts a woman
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading _Foreign Etiquette of Engagements--Betrothal a much more Serious Matter than in England._ In no other country is an engagement so informal as in England.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This makes them ready to accept any suitor their parents may choose.
trothnounUS /troʊθ/
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
tyingnounUS /ˈtaɪɪŋ/
the act of tying or binding things together
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
precisely as stated
From this reading In Italy girls are kept quite in the background, and have a very dull time.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We find all sorts of ceremonies connected with the plighting of a troth which seems but little less important than the tying of the marriage knot itself.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There is less spontaneity and exercise of private judgment on the part of the young people; in fact, there are several countries in which they are allowed no voice in the matter.
