used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
Aimée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
(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 A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
for the reason that
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
BEYnounUS /beɪ/
(formerly) a title of respect for a man in Turkey or Egypt
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
brilliancenounUS /ˈbrɪljəns/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
candelabranounUS /ˌkændəˈlɑːbrə/
branched candlestick; ornamental; has several lights
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
take in solid food
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
the act of consuming food
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
FaintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
feintverbUS /feɪnt/
deceive by a mock action
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
the force of workers available
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
musknounUS /mʌsk/
an odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
paradedverbUS /pərˈeɪdɪd/
past form of “parade” — walk ostentatiously
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
protestedverbUS /prəˈtestɪd/
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
RETURNSnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
get rid of
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
sherbets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He had been dining at his reception for the men, but he called now for a table and more refreshment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BEY RETURNS He kissed her hands.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
a special situation
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
uncomplicatedadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmpləkeɪtɪd/
lacking complexity
From this reading Faintly Aimée protested that eat she could not, and then she made a feint of eating, lingering over her sherbets, because eating was, after all, so safe and uncomplicated a thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
in or at the place that
From this reading A small table was brought to the end of the room near the marriage throne where all the day she had paraded; a richly embroidered cloth of satin was flung over it, and from crowding candelabra fresh lights shed down a little circle of brilliance.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading She caught the murmur of compliments and the mingled scent of musk and wine.
