Chapter II

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

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

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

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

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

disposed to please

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

for the reason that

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

cause to be bored

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

like or befitting a cousin

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

a young female

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

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

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

immediately past

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

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

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

and nothing more

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

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

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

on the contrary

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

show unwillingness towards

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

move stealthily

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

a person loved by another person

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

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

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

not seen or observed

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

precisely as stated

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading He had last visited his uncle, his mother's brother, ten years before, when Adele was a pretty little girl with fair curls, whom he had made a pet of and called his little sweetheart.

an assured victory (especially in an election)

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The ball had hitherto been rather a bore; he did not dance, and, stranger as he was in this society, he took little interest in watching others dance.

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

From this reading He could not refuse so amiable a proposal, but he promised himself but little entertainment in her society, since, although cousins, they were now almost entire strangers to each other.

at the time that

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

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

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The only figure that his eyes followed with any pleasure in the waltz was his cousin Adele's, and he had intended to slip from the room unobserved, when her gracious and cousinly invitation to him to conduct her to supper frustrated his unsocial plan.

a late time of life

From this reading Count Karl Styrum had never been very fond of large entertainment, and had accepted his uncle the President's invitation on this evening only because he did not wish to be rude to a relative whom he had not seen for years.