used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
(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 She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
espousals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Vow is vowed.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
and nothing more
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
pensivelyadverb
in a pensive manner
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
with low volume
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
determined
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
saddeningverbUS /ˈsædənɪŋ/
-ing form of “sadden” — make unhappy
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
Tempest's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Vow is vowed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There is so much that is saddening in my position," she said pensively.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
precisely as stated
From this reading She had told all her friends that she meant everything to be done very quietly.
VowverbUS /vaʊ/
make a vow; promise
From this reading The Vow is vowed.
vowedverbUS /vaʊd/
past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise
From this reading The Vow is vowed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Only a chosen few had been bidden to Mrs. Tempest's wedding.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
which person or people
From this reading But she was resolved that those guests who were asked to lend their countenance to her espousals should be the very best people.
