Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

later than; following

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.

give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

plural of “celebrity” — a widely known person

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

a native or inhabitant of Denmark

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

argue with one another

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

-ing form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

profound scholarly knowledge

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

promote over another

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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 The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

making a strong or vivid impression

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

impossible to subdue

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

a young hare especially one in its first year

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

take the midday meal

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

the act of eating lunch

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

come together

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

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

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading To this end she had founded the Lunch Club, an association composed of herself and several other indomitable huntresses of erudition.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

the trait of being unwilling

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

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

From this reading The club was to meet at Mrs. Bellinger’s.

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

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

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

From this reading The Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.

during the time that

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

which person or people

From this reading Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet alone.

belonging to which person

From this reading The other members, behind her back, were of one voice in deploring her unwillingness to cede her rights in favor of Mrs. Plinth, whose house made a more impressive setting for the entertainment of celebrities; while, as Mrs. Leveret observed, there was always the picture-gallery to fall back on.

plural of “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 Lunch Club, after three or four winters of lunching and debate, had acquired such local distinction that the entertainment of distinguished strangers became one of its accepted functions; in recognition of which it duly extended to the celebrated “Osric Dane,” on the day of her arrival in Hillbridge, an invitation to be present at the next meeting.