used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
accommodateverbUS /əˈkɑːmədeɪt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
battleshipnounUS /ˈbætəlʃɪp/
large and heavily armoured warship
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
beautified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
buntingnounUS /ˈbʌntɪŋ/
a loosely woven fabric used for flags, etc.
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
convertedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
first-classadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrstˈklæs/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
Kearsarge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
mastheadnounUS /ˈmæsthed/
a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc.
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
not any; not one
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
open-airadjective
in the open air
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
only a very short time before
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading If the scene of the banquet had been a first-class hotel, the preparations could scarcely have been more elaborate.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading The big battleship presented a spectacle of dazzling splendor.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading From bow to stern, masthead to lower deck, her grim lines had been beautified by a blaze of electric lights, flags, Japanese lanterns, bunting, and flowers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The guests of the _Kearsarge_ had no cause to complain of the measure of Uncle Sam’s hospitality.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
wardroomnoun
military quarters for dining and recreation for officers of a warship (except the captain)
From this reading The wardroom being too small to accommodate the big dinner party, the spacious upper deck had been converted into an open-air dining room.
