AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
Anstruthers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
BALLnounUS /bɔːl/
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
cardsnounUS /kɑːrdz/
a game played with playing cards
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
CastlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
countynounUS /ˈkaʊnti/
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
derisiveadjectiveUS /dərˈɪsɪv/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
designationnounUS /ˌdezəɡˈneɪʃən/
identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
Dunholm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
employedadjectiveUS /emˈplɔɪd/
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
festivitynounUS /feˈstɪvəti/
any joyous diversion
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
FunctionnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃən/
(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
GREATadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
guestsnounUS /ɡests/
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
inferencenounUS /ˈɪnfərəns/
the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
interestinglyadverbUS /ˈɪntərestɪŋli/
in an interesting manner
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
invitationnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
ironicadjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪk/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
notableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəbəl/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/
something you have to do
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
One's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
Panjandrumnoun
an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
uninvitedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪd/
(of a thought or act) unwelcome or involuntary
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
yearlynounUS /ˈjɪrli/
a reference book that is published regularly once every year
From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
