Chapter V

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

without aim; in an aimless manner

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

recognize with gratitude; be grateful for

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

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

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

use to one's advantage

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading These bobbing, black spots my lady disapprovingly regarded.

inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly

From this reading These bobbing, black spots my lady disapprovingly regarded.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

plural of “caricature” — a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

put or send forth

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

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

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

past form of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

of or relating to or used in cooking

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

showing disapproval

From this reading These bobbing, black spots my lady disapprovingly regarded.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

offering fun and gaiety

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

have a celebration

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

inflected form of “frolic” — play boisterously

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

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

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

a polite name for any woman

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

insulation used to wrap around pipes or boilers or laid in attics to prevent loss of heat

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

and nothing more

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

a country person

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

plural of “peasant” — a country person

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading These bobbing, black spots my lady disapprovingly regarded.

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

plural of “silhouette” — an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow)

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens

From this reading These bobbing, black spots my lady disapprovingly regarded.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading In the half-gloom they came together like shadows; separated aimlessly and cast misshapen silhouettes--caricatures of frolicking peasants--on the broad surface of the sands beyond.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

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

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

characterized by a buoyant rhythm

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

not confined or limited

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

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

From this reading For whether these people were too sodden to avail themselves of the opportunity for merrymaking, or liked not the notion of tripping together at Beppo's command, their movements, which should have been free and untrammeled as the vigorous swing of the music, were characterized only by painful monotony and lagging.

which person or people

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

but in spite of that

From this reading At the verge of the group of peasant dancers, the Lady Elise and the Marquis de Beauvillers, who had left the other guests to the enjoyment of fresh culinary surprises, paused to survey a scene, intended, yet failing, to be festal.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading AN INTERRUPTION "They seem not to appreciate your _fete champetre_, my Lady!"