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The Shuttle
The Shuttle

Chapter XXVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Shuttle

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.
Line 2
It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.
Line 3
On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.
Line 4
One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.
Line 5
Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.”

GREAT noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.”

All words in this reading · 98

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

admirable

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

Anstruthers

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

appeared

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

BALL

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

balls

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

beautiful

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

bidden

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

bidding

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

brilliant

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

call

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

cards

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

Castle

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

certain

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

chief

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

convey

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

county

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

degree

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

derisive

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

designation

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

distinguished

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

Dunholm

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

employed

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

features

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

festivity

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

flattering

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

full

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

Function

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

given

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

GREATnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

greater

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

guests

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

house

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

implied

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

important

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

indeed

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

inference

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

interestingly

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

invitation

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

ironic

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

marked

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

meet

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

most

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

Nigel

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

notable

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

occasions

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

One's

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

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

other

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

Panjandrum

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

personages

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

persons

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

place

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

received

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

selection

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

several

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

smiles

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

social

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

state

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One's invitation must convey by inference that one was either brilliant, beautiful, or admirable, if not important.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

times

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

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On several occasions the chief guests had been great personages indeed, and to be bidden to meet them implied a selection flattering in itself.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

uninvited

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It took place when the house was full of its most interestingly distinguished guests, and, though other balls might be given at other times, this one was marked by a degree of greater state.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

wont

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

From this reading Nigel Anstruthers had never appeared at what the uninvited were wont, with derisive smiles, to call The Great Panjandrum Function--which was an ironic designation not employed by such persons as received cards bidding them to the festivity.

yearly

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

From this reading A GREAT BALL A certain great ball, given yearly at Dunholm Castle, was one of the most notable social features of the county.