used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
(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 Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
contributionsnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈbjuːʃənz/
plural of “contribution” — the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
any strong feeling
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
apart from; not including
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
set up or found
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
a social unit living together
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
of great significance or value
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
landownersnounUS /ˈlændoʊnərz/
plural of “landowner” — a holder or proprietor of land
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
Marfinka's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
joined in matrimony
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
not any; not one
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
something you have to do
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
precautionsnounUS /priˈkɔːʃənz/
plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
trousseaunoun
the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
VolganounUS /ˈvɑːlɡə/
a Russian river; the longest river in Europe; flows into the Caspian Sea
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Against universal expectation, Marfinka’s wedding was a quiet one, no one being invited except a few neighbouring landowners and the important personages in the town, about fifty guests in all.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Marfinka’s trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She herself shone with the charm of a rose grown to perfection; in her face a new emotion was visible which found expression now in a musing smile, now in a stray tear.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young people were married in the village church on Sunday, after morning service, and afterwards in the hall, which had been transformed for the occasion, a formal breakfast was served without any of the gaiety and excitement usual to such occasions.
