used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
abruptnessnounUS /əˈbrʌptnəs/
an abrupt discourteous manner
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
abundantadjectiveUS /əˈbʌndənt/
present in great quantity
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
from appearances alone
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
assertverbUS /əˈsɜːrt/
state categorically
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
ContinentaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntəˈnentəl/
of or pertaining to or typical of Europe
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
controversiesnounUS /ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsiz/
plural of “controversy” — a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
the act of departing
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
friendshipsnounUS /ˈfrendʃɪps/
plural of “friendship” — the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
usually; as a rule
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
hastily-cemented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
Lightmark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
something you have to do
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
pensionsnounUS /ˈpenʃənz/
plural of “pension” — a regular payment to a person that is intended to allow them to subsist without working
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
an amount of time
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
a human being
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
proprietorsnounUS /prəˈpraɪətərz/
plural of “proprietor” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
recollectionsnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃənz/
plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Of his father, who had, as far as possible, ignored his existence, he remembered very little.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
severancenounUS /ˈsevɜːrəns/
a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The period of Lightmark's boyhood had not been an altogether happy one.
in or at that place or location
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
tradespeoplenoun
people engaged in trade
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
unpremeditatedadjective
not prepared or planned in advance
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
volubleadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːljəbəl/
marked by a ready flow of speech
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
migratory
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
at the time that
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
white-waistcoated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
which person or people
From this reading He was prepared to assert, with confidence, that his mother had been a very beautiful person, who carried an air of the most abundant affection for him on the numerous occasions when she received her friends.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His earliest recollections carried him back to a time when he lived a wandering, desolate life with his father and mother, in an endless series of Continental hotels and _pensions_.
a late time of life
From this reading During these years there had been frequent difficulties, the nature of which he had since learned entirely to comprehend; controversies with white-waistcoated proprietors of hotels and voluble tradespeople, generally followed by a severance of hastily-cemented friendships, and a departure of apparently unpremeditated abruptness.
