used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
(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 All was murmuring, laughter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
arrivalsnounUS /ərˈaɪvəlz/
plural of “arrival” — accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
breakfast-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
Denton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
being one more than seven
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
flannelsnounUS /ˈflænəlz/
plural of “flannel” — a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
fluffyadjectiveUS /ˈflʌfi/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
Frazier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
frocksnounUS /frɑːks/
plural of “frock” — a long, loose outer garment
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
grandmothersnounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðərz/
plural of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
introducingverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack Denton claimed Kate for the first dance.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
the sound of laughing
From this reading All was murmuring, laughter.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
matronsnounUS /ˈmeɪtrənz/
plural of “matron” — a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading All was murmuring, laughter.
niecesnounUS /ˈniːsɪz/
plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
orchestranounUS /ˈɔːrkəstrə/
a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
rainbownounUS /ˈreɪnboʊ/
an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
regallyadverbUS /ˈriːɡəli/
in a regal manner
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
only a very short time before
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
in the near future
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
tuningnounUS /ˈtuːnɪŋ/
(music) calibrating something (an instrument or electronic circuit) to a standard frequency
From this reading Then the orchestra placed back in the blue breakfast-room began tuning their instruments.
tuxedosnounUS /təkˈsiːdoʊz/
plural of “tuxedo” — semiformal evening dress for men
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All was murmuring, laughter.
a Caucasian
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Soon after eight Miss Frazier stood regally in the wide hall between her two nieces, receiving and introducing the first arrivals.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading They came fluttering in at the big wide-open door—girls in shimmering, fluffy party frocks of rainbow colours; boys, mostly in white flannels and dark coats, but a few in tuxedos; and a thin scattering of two older generations, these latter gray-haired grandmothers and younger matrons—some of the mothers looking scarcely older than their own children, in the modern manner.
