used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/
established by authority; given authoritative approval
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
carefully weighed
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
half the width of an em
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
famille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far from it!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Far from it!
an established custom
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
hereditaryadjectiveUS /hərˈedəteri/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
originalitynounUS /ərˌɪdʒəˈnælɪti/
the ability to think and act independently
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
Percy-Bartlett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
Percy-Bartletts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
on the contrary
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
sarcasmnounUS /ˈsɑːrkæzəm/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
sarcasticadjectiveUS /sɑːrˈkæstɪk/
expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
satirenounUS /ˈsætaɪər/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
satiricaladjectiveUS /səˈtɪrəkəl/
exposing human folly to ridicule
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
TattleverbUS /ˈtætəl/
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
the act of using
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
vulgaritynounUS /vəlˈɡerɪti/
the quality of lacking taste and refinement
From this reading He considered sarcasm and satire the outward and visible--or, rather, audible--sign of an inward and hereditary tendency toward vulgarity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not that Percy-Bartlett was in the habit of being satirical.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The Percy-Bartletts,” as _Town Tattle_ always called them in the weekly paragraph that it devoted to their doings, were dining alone, “_en tête-à-tête_ and _en famille_,” as the husband sometimes remarked in a mildly sarcastic way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The use of these weapons of speech implied that one possessed both temper and originality--characteristics that were not approved in the set in which the Percy-Bartletts moved.
