used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
anew
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
(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 But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
Cuthbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
DudgeonnounUS /ˈdʌdʒən/
a feeling of intense indignation (now used only in the phrase “in high dudgeon”)
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
Dudgeons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
every person
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
fizzleverbUS /ˈfɪzəl/
end weakly
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
foolerynounUS /ˈfuːləri/
foolish or senseless behavior
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
inningsnounUS /ˈɪnɪŋz/
the batting turn of a cricket player or team
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
Lance'snounUS /ˈlænsɪz/
possessive form of “lance” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
Leighton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
Leightons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
mayonnaisenounUS /ˈmeɪəneɪz/
egg yolks and oil and vinegar
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
something you have to do
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
picklenounUS /ˈpɪkəl/
vegetables (especially cucumbers) preserved in brine or vinegar
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Mabel had had her innings as the eldest of the house, but had retained an enormous reserve when speaking to Miss Dudgeon.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
carry out
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Visitors on the afternoon of a party, and such visitors!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But that the Leightons should all be more or less in a pickle in regard to the mayonnaise and Lance’s foolery seemed to take things altogether over the barrier of ordinary life, and land everybody in a perfect fizzle.
unnervingadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrvɪŋ/
inspiring fear
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
at the time that
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
which person or people
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Visitors Again By itself an occurrence like this would have been unnerving enough.
but in spite of that
From this reading The Dudgeons must have called to see Cuthbert, who had never been down yet on these occasions when Mrs. Leighton and Mabel and Jean with perfect propriety had received them.
