used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
absorptionnounUS /əbˈzɔːrpʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
for the reason that
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
characterizedverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzd/
past form of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
chasteadjectiveUS /tʃeɪst/
morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse)
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
deficienciesnounUS /dɪˈfɪʃənsiz/
plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
greatly pleased
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
dissimilaradjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪmələr/
not similar
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
electrolier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
elegancenounUS /ˈeləɡəns/
a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
entertainmentsnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənts/
plural of “entertainment” — an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
fretfuladjectiveUS /ˈfretfəl/
nervous and unable to relax
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
functionsnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃənz/
plural of “function” — (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 She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
illustrateverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪt/
clarify by giving an example of
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
lapsedadjectiveUS /læpst/
no longer active or practicing
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
on one occasion
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
and nothing more
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
Paula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
predominancenounUS /prɪˈdɑːmənəns/
the state of being predominant over others
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
revoltedverbUS /rɪˈvoʊltɪd/
past form of “revolt” — make revolution
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
solicitousadjectiveUS /səˈlɪsətəs/
full of anxiety and concern
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Once he spoke of a costume of delicate, chaste elegance as “common”--“nothing on it.”
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
substitutedverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːtɪd/
past form of “substitute” — put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
temporarilyadverbUS /ˌtempərˈerəli/
for a limited time only; not permanently
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
toiletsnounUS /ˈtɔɪləts/
plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
unattainableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbəl/
impossible to achieve
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was critical and fretful because of small, very small, deficiencies, as--some flower being unattainable that one less costly should be used in decoration, or a shade of an electrolier being broken that another, dissimilar to the rest in design, should be temporarily substituted.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
at the time that
From this reading Her own toilets were submitted to his scrutiny and preference, and when she revolted, saying that she knew far more of such matters than he did, he lapsed into surly dissatisfaction.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The season had opened in a whirl of social absorption for Paula, once more established in their city house for the winter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had never known her husband so interested in these functions nor so solicitous that her entertainments should be characterized by a species of magnificence that would once have dazzled and delighted her, but that now seemed only to illustrate his wealth and predominance.
