used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/
the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
for the most part
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
drawingsnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋz/
plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
effectivenessnounUS /ɪˈfektɪvnəs/
power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
etchingsnounUS /ˈetʃɪŋz/
plural of “etching” — an impression made from an etched plate
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
expensively-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
GalleriesnounUS /ˈɡæləriz/
plural of “gallery” — spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
loannounUS /loʊn/
the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
most important element
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
maskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
the force of workers available
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
oil-paintings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
paintersnounUS /ˈpeɪntərz/
plural of “painter” — an artist who paints
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
proportionnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃən/
the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
ReynoldsnounUS /ˈrenəldz/
English portrait painter and first president of the Royal Academy (1723-1792)
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
except for; apart from
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
scoresnounUS /skɔːrz/
a large number or amount
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
sittersnounUS /ˈsɪtərz/
plural of “sitter” — Dutch astronomer who calculated the size of the universe and suggested that it is expanding (1872-1934)
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
unconvincingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
not convincing
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
precisely as stated
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
voguenounUS /voʊɡ/
the popular taste at a given time
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
water-colournoun
water-soluble pigment
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
well-dressedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
in the company of; together with
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
