Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

in actual fact

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

(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 He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

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

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

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

From this reading Was Bragadino the prime culprit?

an Italian adventurer who wrote vivid accounts of his sexual encounters (1725-1798)

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

From this reading Was Bragadino the prime culprit?

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

morally reprehensible

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

an oldster in his dotage; someone whose age has impaired his intellect

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

put to use

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

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

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Why not?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

on one occasion

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

as yourself

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

first in rank or degree

From this reading Was Bragadino the prime culprit?

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

plural of “scoundrel” — a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

catch sight of

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

carry out

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

which person or people

From this reading As soon as he was in some degree once more master of himself, his first thought was to take revenge upon the scoundrels who had believed that he could be hired as a police spy.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.

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

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why not?

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

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

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

From this reading He would return to Venice in disguise, and would exert all his cunning to compass the death of these wretches--or at least of whomever it was that had conceived the despicable design.

produce a literary work

From this reading An old man so lost to all sense of shame that he had dared to write such a letter to Casanova; a dotard who could actually believe that Casanova, whom he had personally known, would set his hand to this ignominious task.