used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
agitatingadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪŋ/
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
(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 It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
AustrianounUS /ˈɔːstriə/
a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
a youthful male person
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
a young person of either sex
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
duke'snounUS /duːks/
possessive form of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
fondnessnounUS /ˈfɑːndnəs/
a predisposition to like something
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
a person of German nationality
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
immediately past
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
held dear
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
engage in
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
pettedverbUS /ˈpetɪd/
inflected form of “pet” — stroke or caress gently
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
express in words
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
not in physical motion
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The child was delicate, as I told you, and his grandfather petted him, and had the doctor to him, and, between you and me, I dare say that last might have been the reason he did not grow stronger.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was to his palace the little, pale child was taken.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
precisely as stated
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Emperor of Austria was the little duke’s maternal grandfather.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
which person or people
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading It was the wish of this grandfather, who, notwithstanding all the stories told to the contrary, dearly loved the boy, to make a German prince of him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If it should prove that, as he grew up, he had a fondness for military life, he should follow it; still, he was to be kept away from agitating Frenchmen as much as possible, for reasons you will very well understand.
