used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
acted upon; influenced
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
a cherished desire
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading It was awful beyond words!"
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It was awful beyond words!"
of surpassing excellence
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
denyingverbUS /dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
disconcertingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrtɪŋ/
causing an emotional disturbance
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
ELEMENTnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
estrangementnounUS /ɪˈstreɪndʒmənt/
separation resulting from hostility
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
Etta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
divisible by two
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
excludedverbUS /ɪkˈskluːdəd/
past form of “exclude” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
fiasconounUS /fiˈæskoʊ/
a sudden and violent collapse
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
the sound of laughing
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
laughsnounUS /læfs/
plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
LydianounUS /ˈlɪdiə/
an ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the Persians in 546 BC
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
Lydia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
Marietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
Marietta's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
and nothing more
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
an organization to gain political power
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
with speed
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
To recall to mind.
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
in a serious manner
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
shakyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪki/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
snobbishnessnoun
the trait of condescending to those of lower social status
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
SOLIDITYnounUS /səˈlɪdəti/
the consistency of a solid
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
tickledverbUS /ˈtɪkəld/
past form of “tickle” — touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading But Lydia's sense of humor was so tickled at the grotesque contrast between Marietta's injured conception of the brilliant social event from which she had been excluded and the leaden fiasco which it had really been, that even at the time, in the midst of denying hotly her sister's charges of snobbishness and social ambition, she was unable to keep back a shaky laugh or two as she cried out: "Oh, Etta!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
at the time that
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
which person or people
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
the words that are spoken
From this reading It was awful beyond words!"
people who are wounded
From this reading She was cruelly wounded by her sister's attack on her, but she could never remember the scene without one of her involuntary laughs so disconcerting to Paul, who only laughed when he felt gay, certainly at nothing which affected him seriously.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading AN ELEMENT OF SOLIDITY Lydia dated the estrangement from Marietta, which grew so rapidly during the next year, from the conversation on the day after the dinner party.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you could know how things went, you'd be too thankful to have escaped it.
