1918
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
abnormaladjectiveUS /æbˈnɔːrməl/
not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
baksheeshnoun
a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
betrayalsnounUS /bɪˈtreɪəlz/
plural of “betrayal” — an act of deliberate betrayal
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
bubblesnounUS /ˈbʌbəlz/
plural of “bubble” — a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
cauldronnounUS /ˈkɑːldrən/
a very large pot that is used for boiling
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
not accessible to view
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/
the condition of being concealed or hidden
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
concessionnounUS /kənˈseʃən/
a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
conspiraciesnounUS /kənˈspɪrəsiz/
plural of “conspiracy” — a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
ConstantinoplenounUS /ˌkɑːnstæntəˈnoʊpəl/
the largest city and former capital of Turkey
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
contractverbUS /ˈkɑːntrækt/
enter into a contractual arrangement
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
corridorsnounUS /ˈkɔːrɪdərz/
plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
crookednessnounUS /ˈkrʊkədnəs/
a tortuous and twisted shape or position
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
crueltiesnounUS /ˈkruːltiz/
plural of “cruelty” — a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
DISGUISESnounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzɪz/
plural of “disguise” — an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
downfallnounUS /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
divisible by two
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
at any time
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
falsehoodsnounUS /ˈfælshʊdz/
plural of “falsehood” — a false statement
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
a social unit living together
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
inabilitynounUS /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
intriguenounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
intriguingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/
disturbingly provocative
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
many times at short intervals
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
oppressionnounUS /əˈpreʃən/
the act of subjugating by cruelty
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
an amount of time
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Every other man is intriguing for himself, his safety, his pocket, his party, his family, or his government appointment, or from sheer inability not to intrigue.
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
treatynounUS /ˈtriːti/
a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
truthsnounUS /truːθs/
plural of “truth” — a fact that has been verified
From this reading THE CITY OF DISGUISES Constantinople, even at its most normal, has ever been a city of concealment--concealed motives, concealed truths and falsehoods, concealed cruelties and concealed persons.
TurkishadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrkɪʃ/
of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Such a period was the late summer of 1918, when we were disguised spectators of the misery and oppression that preceded the downfall of the Turkish Empire.
at the time that
From this reading When normal life is upset by abnormal conditions the cauldron of crookedness bubbles over with a thousand and one conspiracies.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There, the way to a treaty, a change of government, a concession or a commercial contract is often through back doors and curtained corridors, with many a halt for whispered promises, whispered betrayals, and the handing over of _baksheesh_.
