used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
anew
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
Airey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/
the act of causing something to happen
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
characterized by great determination
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The task was a difficult one.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
dispensingverbUS /dɪˈspensɪŋ/
-ing form of “dispense” — administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
at any time
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
five-pound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
frayedadjectiveUS /freɪd/
worn away or tattered along the edges
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
the act of departing
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
lavishadjectiveUS /ˈlævɪʃ/
very generous
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
NewtonnounUS /ˈnuːtən/
English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
not any; not one
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The task was a difficult one.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
risksnounUS /rɪsks/
plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
ruefullyadverbUS /ˈruːfəli/
in a rueful manner
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
sumptuousadjectiveUS /ˈsʌmptʃwəs/
ostentatiously rich and superior in quality
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading The task was a difficult one.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
TrentnounUS /trent/
a river in central England that flows generally northeastward to join with the Ouse River and form the Humber
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
hard to endure
From this reading He was trying hard to persuade himself that he was going to have a pleasant evening, and to enjoy dispensing to his friends a sumptuous hospitality.
USURPERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading USURPERS ON THE THRONE Airey Newton was dressing for dinner, for that party of his which Tommy Trent had brought about, and which was causing endless excitement in the small circle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He arrayed himself slowly and ruefully, choosing with care his least frayed shirt, glancing ever and again at a parcel of five-pound notes which lay on the table in front of him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were more notes than the dinner would demand, however lavish in his orders Tommy might have been; Airey had determined to run no risks.
