Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

matters of personal concern

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

later than; following

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

without a doubt

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

away from the right path or direction

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

an established custom

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

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

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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 I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

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 I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

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

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

come to pass

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

many times at short intervals

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

above and across; more than

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

go across or through

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

with speed

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

filled with shade

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

in the near future

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

walk unsteadily

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

a request to be present

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But in spite of my hopes the summons came too soon, and I was obliged to go myself.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading He would assuredly travel as fast as he could, and if he had understood my directions he was not likely to go astray.

precisely as stated

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

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

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

at the time that

From this reading When the man came to call me I was sitting in my room, from force of habit, though the long delay had made the possibility of the meeting seem shadowy.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading As it often happens that, in affairs of importance, the minor events which lead to the ultimate result seem to occur rapidly, and almost to stumble over each other in their haste, it came to pass that on the very evening after I had got Nino's letter I was sent for by the contessina.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I was hoping that Nino might arrive in time to go in my place, for I knew that he would not be many hours behind his letter.