used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
breakfast-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
Buddenbrook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
ConsulnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəl/
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
embossedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈbɔːst/
embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
apart from; not including
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
a social unit living together
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
gilt-edgedadjective
of the highest quality or value
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
Johann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
mid-Aprilnoun
the middle part of April
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
notebooknounUS /ˈnoʊtbʊk/
a book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
portfolionounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
quillnounUS /kwɪl/
pen made from a bird's feather
From this reading His hand hurried over the paper, never pausing except to dip his quill in the ink.
roll-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
scriptnounUS /skrɪpt/
a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
deliver by singing
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
a male human offspring
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the season of growth
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
dependable
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The spring was more advanced than usual, and with the spring had come to the Buddenbrook family a joy that made old Johann sing about the house and moved his son to the depths of his heart.
the act of creating written works
From this reading He had before him a stout leather portfolio stuffed with papers, from among which he had drawn a gilt-edged notebook with an embossed cover, and was busily writing in it in his small, thin, flowing script.
writing-desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Consul sat at the big roll-top writing-desk in the window of the breakfast-room, at nine o’clock one Sunday morning.
a late time of life
From this reading It was mid-April, two and a half years later.
