used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
buglenounUS /ˈbjuːɡəl/
a brass instrument without valves; used for military calls and fanfares
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
CeresnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
(Roman mythology) goddess of agriculture; counterpart of Greek Demeter
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
a social unit living together
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
gignounUS /ɡɪɡ/
long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
gownedadjective
wearing a gown
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
set afire or burning
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
become covered with mist
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
PattennounUS /ˈpætən/
footwear usually with wooden soles
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
Philomela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
with little or no delay
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
resplendentadjectiveUS /riˈsplendənt/
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
sacrificialadjectiveUS /ˌsækrəˈfɪʃəl/
used in or connected with a sacrifice
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading It fell from her neck and hung like spray about her ankles.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
possessing sweep
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading At seven one, Aunt Philomela swept in gowned in purple silk, resplendent in the family jewels; at seven five Miss Van Patten appeared and put the family jewels to shame.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was in something as light as mist.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
in or at the place that
From this reading A SURPRISE Promptly at seven the candles were lighted upon the dinner-table where they burned in sacrificial splendor in the midst of an offering fit for Ceres.
Whoa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven ten the doctor’s gig drove up and a hearty “Whoa” announced the doctor himself like a bugle blast.
