Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

with adroitness; in an adroit manner

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

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

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

not accessible to view

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

the act of departing

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.

being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

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

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

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

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

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

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

weather unsuitable for outdoor activities

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a stormy night.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

lacking spirit or liveliness

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.

in a literal sense

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was a stormy night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

and nothing more

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

above and across; more than

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

a floor made of parquetry

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

show a response or a reaction to something

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion

From this reading It was a stormy night.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

a lightweight cord

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

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

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

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

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the upper part of anything

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

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

From this reading Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynor residence been the scene of so much life and gayety.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

an assured victory (especially in an election)

From this reading The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of graceful exotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only too eager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over the polished parquet floor.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a stormy night.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading From the front door at the top of the high stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvas awning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Every window literally blazed with light.