used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
(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 We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
CHOUTEAU'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
cordialsnounUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəlz/
plural of “cordial” — strong highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
at any time
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
excelverbUS /ɪkˈsel/
distinguish oneself
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
a social unit living together
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
fowlnounUS /faʊl/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
assemble or get together
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
a state of high honor
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
goodlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdli/
large in amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
inventorynounUS /ˌɪnvənˈtɔːri/
a detailed list of all the items in stock
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
jelliesnounUS /ˈdʒeliz/
plural of “jelly” — an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
kinsfolknoun
people descended from a common ancestor
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
engage in
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
minglingnounUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
the action of people mingling and coming into contact
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
pastyadjective
resembling paste in color; pallid
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
reveillenounUS /ˈrevəliː/
(military) signal to wake up
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
roastedadjectiveUS /ˈroʊstəd/
(meat) cooked by dry heat in an oven
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
Saugrain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
cut with a saw
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
tartsnounUS /tɑːrts/
plural of “tart” — a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL "The uncertain glory of an April day."
venisonnounUS /ˈvenəsən/
meat from a deer used as food
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
at the time that
From this reading We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and make merry together.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the description of such things than for making away with them.
