used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
(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 While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
terminate
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
cardplayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
feenounUS /fiː/
a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
gainsnounUS /ɡeɪnz/
plural of “gain” — a quantity that is added
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
a man of refinement
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
hidalgos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
humbledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəld/
subdued or brought low in condition or status
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
lossesnounUS /ˈlɔːsəz/
something lost (especially money lost at gambling)
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
mislaidadjectiveUS /mɪˈsleɪd/
lost temporarily; as especially put in an unaccustomed or forgotten place
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
come into possession of
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
physician'snounUS /fəˈzɪʃənz/
possessive form of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
poorestadjectiveUS /ˈpuːrɪst/
superlative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
proudestadjectiveUS /ˈpraʊdəst/
superlative of “proud” — feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
refreshment-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
cut with a saw
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading The cardplayers had risen, and were settling or discussing gains and losses.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
in or at or to some place
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
surreptitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsɜːrəpˈtɪʃəs/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
carry out
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
tic-doloureux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
timidlyadverbUS /ˈtɪmədli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
tormentedadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrmentɪd/
experiencing intense pain especially mental pain
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
at the time that
From this reading When I returned to the drawing-room, the party was evidently about to break up.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While I was searching for my hat, which I had somewhere mislaid, a poor gentleman, tormented by tic-doloureux, crept timidly up to me,--the proudest and the poorest of all the hidalgos settled on the Hill.
which person or people
From this reading Those who had grouped round the piano were now assembled round the refreshment-table.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He could not afford a fee for a physician's advice; but pain had humbled his pride, and I saw at a glance that he was considering how to take a surreptitious advantage of social intercourse, and obtain the advice without paying the fee.
