used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
admonitionsnounUS /ˌædməˈnɪʃənz/
plural of “admonition” — cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
AugustusnounUS /ɑːˈɡʌstəs/
Roman statesman who established the Roman Empire and became emperor in 27 BC; defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC at Actium (63 BC - AD 14)
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
backwashnounUS /ˈbækwɑːʃ/
the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
buddingnounUS /ˈbʌdɪŋ/
reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
clothing in general
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
intentionally conceived
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
characterized by great determination
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
dolorously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
encrustedadjectiveUS /enˈkrʌstɪd/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
frozeverbUS /froʊz/
inflected form of “freeze” — stop moving or become immobilized
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
glitternounUS /ˈɡlɪtər/
the quality of shining with a bright reflected light
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
ill-temper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
Maude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maude was silent and sullen.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
meeklyadverbUS /ˈmiːkli/
in a submissive or spiritless manner
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
not any; not one
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
perspiringverbUS /pərˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “perspire” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
Pratt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Maude was silent and sullen.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Maude was silent and sullen.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
hard to endure
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
warred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Maude was silent and sullen.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading She had caught the backwash of her mother’s ill-temper throughout two trying weeks, and the party had become a nightmare to her.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Augustus, miserable in his evening clothes, and perspiring under the weight of admonitions that warred with his sense of hospitality, watched her in a passion of sympathy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Pratt stood in the hard glitter of too many electric lights, in a hard, encrusted green gown, and greeted her guests with a hard, set smile that froze any budding sense of enjoyment they may have brought with them.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading After a succession of violent scenes, he was dolorously conscious that he and Maude together, were no match for the determined woman whom he had meekly followed to the altar.
