used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
quickly and without warning
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
confidentiallyadverbUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəli/
in a confidential manner
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
true confidential information
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
a movement into or inward
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
FERSEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
in a free manner
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
futilitynounUS /fjuːˈtɪləti/
uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
not any; not one
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
by chance
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
PRINCESSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRINCESSE DE FERSEN The next morning Madame de Fersen did not appear at breakfast.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading She was not well, the prince said, and had spent a restless night.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The following is the substance of what I learned from M. de Fersen about his wife.
whimnounUS /wɪm/
a sudden desire
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Then, abruptly, to my great astonishment, he spoke to me most freely and confidentially, regarding the character, the mind, the habits of his wife, and the life led by her, perhaps to warn me of the futility of my aspirations, in the event of my having dreamed of paying my court to Madame de Fersen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I can in no other way explain his incomprehensible whim in entering upon such details with me.
