used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
a quantity of money
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But they caused the noble Count to meditate deeply.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
gotten under control
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading But they caused the noble Count to meditate deeply.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
increase twofold
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
hinderedverbUS /ˈhɪndərd/
past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a message received and understood
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
meditateverbUS /ˈmedəteɪt/
reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading But they caused the noble Count to meditate deeply.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading But they caused the noble Count to meditate deeply.
occasionedverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənd/
past form of “occasion” — give occasion to
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
in the near future
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
and nothing more
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they caused the noble Count to meditate deeply.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
THREATENINGadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading For he was playing a double game, and it presently occurred to him that if the information hindered him in one direction he might turn it to his advantage in the other.
uneasinessnounUS /ˌʌˈniːzinəs/
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
precisely as stated
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It reached him by the hand of a peasant from the mountain district, and its perusal caused the thin lips to be drawn back, and the cruel teeth displayed in a grin which was very far from suggesting pleasure.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Written by the man whom he had met at the mountain inn, the letter contained very few words, and those simply words of warning.
Zarka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A THREATENING PRESENCE Next morning Count Zarka received a letter which occasioned him a considerable amount of uneasiness.
