used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
attractivenessnounUS /əˈtræktɪvnəs/
the quality of arousing interest; being attractive or something that attracts
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
confined by bonds
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
Dorning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
Dorning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
divisible by two
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
at any time
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Italian was given the center office, the one formerly occupied by John Dorning's father.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
Rodrigo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
cut with a saw
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To his own surprise, he enjoyed them.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
Torriani
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
unselfishnessnoun
the quality of not putting yourself first but being willing to give your time or money or effort etc. for others
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The next few weeks were probably the most tranquil Rodrigo Torriani had ever known.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His liking for John Dorning deepened as he saw in what general admiration for his character and respect for his business ability his friend was held.
which person or people
From this reading In their private lives together, John displayed a simple unselfishness, a personal attractiveness, and an even temper that bound Rodrigo, who was used to far different associates, ever closer to him.
