used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
ball-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
boiledadjectiveUS /bɔɪld/
cooked in hot water
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
bunged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/
the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
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 A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
a state at a particular time
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
courteousadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrtiəs/
exhibiting courtesy and politeness
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
traveling across
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
dress-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
a movement into or inward
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
a person of German nationality
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
Kharzán
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
lobsternounUS /ˈlɑːbstər/
flesh of a lobster
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
OrientaladjectiveUS /ˌɔːriˈentəl/
denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
go across or through
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
pugilists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
express in words
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
shirtsnounUS /ʃɜːrts/
plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
confined on all sides
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
TEHERÁN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TEHERÁN.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A brilliant ball-room, pretty faces, smart gowns, good music, and an excellent supper;--thus surrounded, I pass my first evening in Teherán, a pleasant contrast indeed to the preceding night of dirt, cold, and hunger.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The crossing of the Kharzán had not improved the appearance of dress-clothes and shirts, to say nothing of my eyes being in the condition described by pugilists as "bunged up," my face of the hue of a boiled lobster, the effects of sun and snow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One is struck, on entering Teherán, with the apparent cleanliness of the place as compared with other Oriental towns.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But it was not without serious misgivings that I accepted the courteous invitation of the German Embassy.
