used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
Achten-thaler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
acutenessnounUS /əˈkjuːtnəs/
a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
a quantity of money
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
archlyadverbUS /ˈɑːrtʃli/
in an arch manner; with playful slyness or roguishness
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
deliciouslyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪʃəʃli/
in a very pleasurable manner
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
dialectnounUS /ˈdaɪəlekt/
the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
fig-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
inn-garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
instructverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkt/
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
set down according to a plan
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
the sound of laughing
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
pantomimenounUS /ˈpæntəmaɪm/
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
select carefully from a group
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
rippledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpəld/
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
rivuletnoun
a small stream
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
summer-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Is it cold enough?” she asked archly, in her peasant dialect, each time the old man laid down his glass.
Tintefleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
very small
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
Vaterchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was laid out in a little summer-house of the inn-garden.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a pleasant little dinner we had that day!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
belonging to which person
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All overgrown with a fine old fig-tree, through whose leaves the summer wind played deliciously, while a tiny rivulet rippled close by, and served to cool our “Achten-thaler,”--an amount of luxury that made Tintefleck quite wild with laughter.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As I came gradually to pick up the occasional meaning of her words,--a process which her expressive pantomime greatly aided,--I was struck by the marvellous acuteness of a mind so totally without culture, and I could not help asking Vaterchen why he had never attempted to instruct her.
