Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

anew

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

although

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

(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 All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

form, produce, or emit bubbles

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

completely ordinary and unremarkable

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

informal intensifiers

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

negotiation between nations

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

relating to or characteristic of diplomacy

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

to say again or imitate

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

divisible by two

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

in a delicate manner

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

without warmth or enthusiasm

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

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

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

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

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

lacking zest or vivacity

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

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

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

having or showing no mercy

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

and nothing more

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

religious ministers collectively (especially Presbyterian)

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

not any; not one

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

and nothing more

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

with respect to the outside

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

above and across; more than

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

plural of “rub” — an unforeseen obstacle

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

past form of “sate” — fill to satisfaction

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

not in physical motion

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

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

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

in or at that place or location

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.

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

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

third-person singular of “topple” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

disease of livestock and especially cattle poisoned by eating certain kinds of snakeroot

From this reading Sometimes a dynasty is shaken, a nation trembles, a ministry topples over; but the ripple moves and all is placid again.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

at the time that

From this reading Occasionally, only occasionally, a bubble comes to the surface, and when it bursts the echo goes crashing around the earth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Outwardly it is merely a city of evasion, of conventionalities, sated with the commonplace pleasures of life, listless, blasé even, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merciless war of diplomacy goes on unceasingly.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading All the world rubs elbows in Washington.

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

From this reading No man may know all that happens there, for then he would be diplomatic master of the world.