used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
adventnounUS /ˈædvent/
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
adventurersnounUS /ædˈventʃərərz/
plural of “adventurer” — a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
(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 Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
antecedentsnounUS /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/
plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
Comtenoun
French philosopher remembered as the founder of positivism; he also established sociology as a systematic field of study
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
Germaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
HOWARDnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
luridlyadverb
in a lurid manner
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
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 Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
not any; not one
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
not one, and not any
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
ParisianadjectiveUS /pərˈɪʒən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
PEPPERverbUS /ˈpepər/
add pepper to
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
PompadournounUS /ˈpɑːmpədɔːr/
French noblewoman who was the lover of Louis XV, whose policies she influenced (1721-1764)
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
PYLEnounUS /paɪl/
United States writer and illustrator of children's books (1853-1911)
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
quasiadjectiveUS /ˈkwɑːsi/
having some resemblance
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading BY HOWARD PYLE AUTHOR OF "PEPPER AND SALT" ETC.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Nothing could have been more sudden than his advent.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
in or at that place or location
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
transientlyadverb
for a very short time
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
volatileadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːlətəl/
evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures
From this reading Of all the many adventurers brilliant and volatile that flitted across the polished surface of Parisian life during the gay butterfly days of La Pompadour, none was more interesting, none left a more fascinating reflection, than he.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Comte de St. Germaine was a real historical character.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
which person or people
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading No one knew who he was, no one knew his antecedents, no one knew whence he came, but there he suddenly appeared, to shine transiently and somewhat luridly for a year or two in a certain heaven of quasi high life.
