used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
couplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
dancing-floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
dancing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
decolletees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
dulleradjectiveUS /ˈdʌlər/
comparative of “dull” — lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
encirclingadjectiveUS /enˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
jigverbUS /dʒɪɡ/
dance a quick dance with leaping and kicking motions
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
largishadjective
somewhat large
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
the force of workers available
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
nothingsnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋz/
inconsequential conversation
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
suitsnounUS /suːts/
plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading It was swarming already with couples engaged in the same jig as the night before.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading As usual the dancing-floor was a clearing in a thicket of tables.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The costumes were duller than at night, of course.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was talking the most indifferent nothings as they went up the stairs to the dancing-room, a largish space with an encircling gallery.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Most of the men wore business suits; the women were not decolletees, and they kept on their hats.
