used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
(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 "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
bedeckedverbUS /bɪˈdekt/
past form of “bedeck” — decorate
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
divisible by two
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
at any time
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
highest in quality
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/
relating to or associated with an empire
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
Karschoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
the force of workers available
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
merchantsnounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/
plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
a brief written record
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/
no longer in use
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
orgynounUS /ˈɔːrdʒi/
any act of immoderate indulgence
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
patronagenounUS /ˈpætrənɪdʒ/
the act of providing approval and support
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
rufflesnounUS /ˈrʌfəlz/
plural of “ruffle” — a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
tiernounUS /tiːr/
a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "All our friends seem to be here to-night," the Prince remarked, glancing around.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was a ball given for charity and under royal patronage.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
unprecedentedadjectiveUS /ənˈpresɪdentɪd/
having no precedent; novel
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
velvets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Seated in one of the first tier boxes at the Albert Hall, in the gorgeous but obsolete uniform of a staff officer in the Russian Imperial Forces, Prince Karschoff, with Nigel on one side and Maggie on the other, gazed with keen interest at the brilliant scene below and around.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The greatest city the world has ever known seemed in those days to have entered upon an orgy of extravagance unprecedented in history.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Every box and every yard of dancing space on the floor beneath was crowded with men and women in wonderful fancy costumes, the women bedecked with jewels which eager merchants had brought together from every market of the world; even the men, in their silks and velvets and ruffles, carrying out the dominant note of wealth.
