used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
BLARNEYnoun
flattery designed to gain favor
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
chefnounUS /ʃef/
a professional cook
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
composingnounUS /kəmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
conscientiousnessnoun
the quality of being in accord with the dictates of conscience
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
characterized by great determination
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Fleur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
FLUFFnounUS /flʌf/
any light downy material
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
a man of refinement
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
pretensionsnounUS /prəˈtenʃənz/
plural of “pretension” — a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
princelyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪnsli/
ostentatiously rich and superior in quality
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
princesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəz/
plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
repastnoun
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
be seated
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Tolbridge's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
Tolbridges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
precisely as stated
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
