used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
acquittalnounUS /əˈkwɪtəl/
a judgment of not guilty
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
decorationsnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
fittingsnounUS /ˈfɪtɪŋz/
plural of “fitting” — making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
heartfeltadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtfelt/
sincerely earnest
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/
United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
joyfuladjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/
full of or producing joy
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
movinglyadverbUS /ˈmuːvɪŋli/
in a moving manner
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
punch-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
releaseverbUS /riˈliːs/
release, as from one's grip
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
deliver by singing
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Alice had a little feast prepared, not so joyful as it might have been, though Jenny made a brave attempt to be cheerful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
male cat
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
unblemishedadjectiveUS /ənˈblemɪʃt/
free from physical or moral spots or stains
From this reading Still it was with heartfelt gratitude that I returned to my own roof with character unblemished.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
veinnounUS /veɪn/
a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
at the time that
From this reading Tom was with us: the punch-bowl was filled: the glasses went round: Tom played and sang--nobody could sing more movingly than he when he was in that vein; that is, when he sat with a cheerful company round the steaming punch-bowl.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED CHARGE The joy of the acquittal and the release was certainly dashed by the wild revenge of the mob in the evening.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading The wreck of the great house with all its costly fittings and decorations could be nothing short of ruin to poor Jenny.
