used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
the act of breaking something
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
CharitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
dodgingnounUS /ˈdɑːdʒɪŋ/
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
EngineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few seconds he joined them.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
GENTRYnounUS /ˈdʒentri/
the most powerful members of a society
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading In a few seconds he joined them.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
LIGHT-FINGEREDadjective
having nimble fingers literally or figuratively; especially for stealing or picking pockets
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
engage in
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
MarineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
the force of workers available
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
NICHOLS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In a few seconds he joined them.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
shoulderedadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊldərd/
having shoulders or shoulders as specified; usually used as a combining form
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In a few seconds he joined them.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
male cat
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
trotverbUS /trɑːt/
run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He shouldered his way through the waiting men, and dodging between the dancers, he walked down the room as best he could, and reaching the center spied Marjorie and Janet sitting in their box with several friends.
at the time that
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
in or at the place that
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
WillardnounUS /ˈwɪlərd/
United States advocate of temperance and women's suffrage (1839-1898)
From this reading LIGHT-FINGERED GENTRY TOM NICHOLS passed down the long line of the receiving party at the Charity Ball and paused near the north end of the New Willard ballroom and looked about him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The floor was thronged with dancers, and from where he stood it was impossible to make out the occupants of the boxes which lined the length of the room on both sides.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He waited for some minutes, hoping that at the end of the dance he would be able to walk about the floor, but the music was continuous, the Marine Band breaking into a fox trot when the Engineer Band at the opposite end of the room, ceased playing.
