Chapter XXXIX · Chapter 39

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

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

later than; following

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

(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 And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

Having no one else present.

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

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

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

a man of refinement

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

give surety or assume responsibility

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

of great significance or value

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

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

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

newspapers and magazines collectively

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

a particular point in time

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

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

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

used to form the superlative

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

the state of being of noble birth

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

many times at short intervals

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

plural of “patron” — a regular customer

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

a building where people go to eat

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

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

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

not in physical motion

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

in or at that place or location

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

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

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

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

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

past form of “troop” — march in a procession

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

plural of “undercurrent” — a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

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

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

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

From this reading A MERRY MEETING Monsieur Albert was not often surprised, and still less often did he show it.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.

accept gladly

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

which person or people

From this reading The party, however, who trooped cheerily into his little restaurant at something after midnight on this particular morning, succeeded in placing him at a disadvantage.

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

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then there was the Marquise de St. Ethol, one of the _haute noblesse_, to welcome whom was a surpassing honor.

belonging to which person

From this reading First there was the Vicomte de Bergillac, one of his most important and influential patrons for many reasons, whose presence alone was more than sufficient guarantee for whoever might follow.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading And then Monsieur Guy Poynton, the young English gentleman, whose single appearance here a few weeks back had started all the undercurrents of political intrigue, and who for the justification of French journalism should at that moment have been slowly dying at the Morgue.