used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PROLOGUE TO A DINNER-PARTY.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
animositynounUS /ˌænəˈmɑːsəti/
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
arrivesverbUS /ərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
borderingverbUS /ˈbɔːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
the two together, not just one
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
broachedadjectiveUS /broʊtʃt/
of a cask or barrel
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
collusionnounUS /kəˈluːʒən/
secret agreement
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
conversationaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənəl/
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
dinner-parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
DINNER-PARTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PROLOGUE TO A DINNER-PARTY.
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
half the width of an em
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
divisible by two
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
hostess's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
massenounUS /mæs/
a shot in billiards made by hitting the cue ball with the cue held nearly vertically; the cue ball spins around another ball before hitting the object ball
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
PROLOGUEnounUS /ˈproʊlɑːɡ/
an introduction to a play
From this reading PROLOGUE TO A DINNER-PARTY.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
reassurancesnounUS /ˌriːəˈʃɜːrənsɪz/
plural of “reassurance” — the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
subjectedverbUS /səbˈdʒektɪd/
past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PROLOGUE TO A DINNER-PARTY.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Even _unusual_ dinner-parties begin like ordinary ones.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After what seems an interminable length of time, during which a score of conversational topics are broached, and both hostess and guest are reduced to a state bordering on mutual animosity, the remainder of the party arrive _en masse_, as if by collusion.
which person or people
From this reading There is the discomfiture of the guest who arrives first, subjected to his hostess's reassurances that he is not really early.
