declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
(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 Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
awfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
awryadjectiveUS /ərˈaɪ/
turned or twisted toward one side
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
Connachan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
the first light of day
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
disorderedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɔːrdərd/
thrown into a state of disarray or confusion
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
flimsyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmzi/
lacking solidity or strength
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
FLOCKART
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
Gabrielle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
glennounUS /ɡlen/
a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
heraldedadjectiveUS /ˈherəldɪd/
publicly announced
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
Heyburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
a room where books are kept
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
mazesnounUS /ˈmeɪzɪz/
plural of “maze” — complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
the force of workers available
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
a particular point in time
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
on one occasion
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
revelrynounUS /ˈrevəlri/
unrestrained merrymaking
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
rippingadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
except for; apart from
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
shirt-fronts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
move stealthily
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
stealthnounUS /stelθ/
avoiding detection by moving carefully
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
sun'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
tiesnounUS /taɪz/
plural of “tie” — neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He drew up one of the blinds to admit the light; and there, away over the hills beyond, the glen showed the red flush that heralded the sun's coming.
someone who visits
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lady Heyburn and her visitor, James Flockart, had managed to slip away from the others, and now stood together in the library, into which the grey light of dawn was at that moment slowly creeping.
which person or people
From this reading All retired at once--all save the hostess and one of her male guests, the man who had entered the library by stealth earlier in the evening and had called Gabrielle outside.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading SOMETHING CONCERNING JAMES FLOCKART In the spreading dawn the house party had returned from Connachan and had ascended to their rooms, weary with the night's revelry, the men with shirt-fronts crumpled and ties awry, the women with hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awfully ripping evening."
