Chapter IV · The Morning of the Party

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

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

any person at all

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

put or send forth

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Yes, he hoped it would rain so hard nobody would come.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

recognizable; marked

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

remove the dust from

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

apart from; not including

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a first-year undergraduate

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a young female

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Yes, he hoped it would rain so hard nobody would come.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Yes, he hoped it would rain so hard nobody would come.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

and nothing more

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

set down according to a plan

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

capital of the state of Michigan; located in southern Michigan on the Grand River

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Yes, he hoped it would rain so hard nobody would come.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

by chance

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

capital of the state of Illinois

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

shedding tears

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a decided shame that she was not coming.

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

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

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

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

in the direction of

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

not in a reasonable or intelligent manner

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

precisely as stated

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

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

From this reading It did not rain, but there was a shower in the night, which laid the dust and made the morning fresher and more delightful.

during the time that

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

which person or people

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

United States lexicographer who was accused of plagiarism by Noah Webster (1784-1865)

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Just why he wished it to rain he did not know, except to spite somebody—his father, perhaps, who was so unreasonably bitter against the Greys, “the very nicest people in town, while Louie was certainly the prettiest girl, and would cast in the shade anyone, whether from Springfield or Worcester or Boston,” and he wanted Fred Lansing to see her.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, I hope it will rain,” Herbert said to himself as he went tearing along the road towards home.