Chapter IX · Dinner at Richmond

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

in actual fact

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

(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 They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

behave as expected during of holidays or rites

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

United States landscape architect who designed the grounds of the White House and the Capitol Building (1815-1852)

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

the act of consuming food

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

being one more than seven

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

the disposition and habits of an epicure

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

divisible by two

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a boy or man

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

plural of “guardsman” — a soldier who is a member of a unit called “the guard” or “guards”

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a social unit living together

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

of or characteristic of low rank or importance

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

not any; not one

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

and nothing more

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

plural of “orgy” — any act of immoderate indulgence

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

from appearances alone

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

superlative of “rare” — not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.

precisely as stated

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were--including Skeffington and Tony--eight in all.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The dinner was ostensibly to celebrate the promotion of one of the guardsmen,--Mr. Lyner; in reality, it was one of those small orgies of eating and drinking which our modern civilization has imported from Paris.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the company that composed the dinner-party we have only a very passing concern.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading A well-spread and even splendid table was no novelty to Tony; but such extravagance and luxury as this he had never witnessed before; it was, in fact, a banquet in which all that was rarest and most costly figured, and it actually seemed as if every land of Europe had contributed some delicacy or other to represent its claims to epicurism, at this congress.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Three were young officials from Downing Street; two were guardsmen; and one an inferior member of the royal household,--a certain Mr. Arthur Mayfair, a young fellow much about town, and known by every one.