Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

(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 course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

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

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

possessive form of “audience” — a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

the feeling of being bored by something tedious

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

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

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

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

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

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

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

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

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

make an investment

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

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

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

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 There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

express in speech

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

superlative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

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

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

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

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

precisely as stated

From this reading The life, the movement and colour, the drifting individualities, the pretence, the bluff, the self-consciousness, the independence, the _ennui_, the darting or lounging servants, the very fact that of those before your eyes seven out of ten are drawn from distant and scattered places, are sufficient in themselves to invest the smallest hostelry with glamour.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Of course all hotels are interesting, from one point of view or another.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.

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

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading There are many interesting hotels scattered about the world, with a few of which I am acquainted and with a great many of which I am not.

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

From this reading It is not of this general interest that I would now speak.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In fact, the surest way to fix an audience's attention is to introduce your hero, or to display your opening chorus in the lobby or along the façade of a hotel.