Chapter II · The Hôtel Lambert—downstairs

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

feel admiration for

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

placed crosswise

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

a room used for dining

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

move gently or carefully

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

the father of your spouse

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the time of life between 40 and 50

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

plural of “intimate” — someone to whom private matters are confided

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

a cgs unit of illumination equal to the brightness of a perfectly diffusing surface that emits or reflects one lumen per square centimeter

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

provided with artificial light

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

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 The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

coated with paint

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

possessive form of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

with low volume

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

not in physical motion

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

a low stool in the shape of a drum

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

lacking in value or merit

From this reading Thanks to his taste and under her rule the gallery of Hercules presented on this evening a scene not unworthy of its past.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading The mode crossed to England, and in many houses these round tables, fallen to the uses of the dining-room or the nursery, may still be seen.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

French writer who was the embodiment of 18th century Enlightenment (1694-1778)

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But when the Princess Czartoriski entertained in the Hôtel Lambert, under the ceiling painted by Lebrun, which had looked down on the arm-chair of Madame de Châtelet and the tabouret of Voltaire, she was, as became a Pole, a law to herself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

cover with wax

From this reading In that beautiful room, softly lit by wax candles, her guests were free to follow their bent, to fall into groups, or to admire at their ease the Watteaus and Bouchers which the Princess’s father-in-law, old Prince Adam, had restored to their native panels.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

at the time that

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When ladies were at home to their intimates in the Paris of the ’forties, they seated their guests about large round tables with a view to that common exchange of wit and fancy which is the French ideal.