used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
with anger
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
eagerly desirous
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
AustrianounUS /ˈɔːstriə/
a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
AustriannounUS /ˈɔːstriən/
a native or inhabitant of Austria
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
fearless and daring
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
a game played with playing cards
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
opinion or judgment
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
fleetingadjectiveUS /ˈfliːtɪŋ/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is not your mother satisfied?"
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
immediately past
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
the literary culture
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
proppingverbUS /ˈprɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading "Is not your mother satisfied?"
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
caught or fixed
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I could not have thought this possible," he murmured.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But the light in his eyes faded, he frowned, angrily crushed the letter together, and propping his elbows on the table leaned his head upon his hands.
precisely as stated
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
in the company of; together with
From this reading A couple of cards of invitation were after a fleeting examination stuck into the frame of the mirror, then came two Austrian newspapers, then three letters from Austria; one addressed in a firm, bold hand he opened instantly with a smile of pleasure and the exclamation "from my mother! at last!
produce a literary work
From this reading I am very curious to know what she says to my betrothal--I began to be anxious--she has taken so long to write."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Is not your mother satisfied?"
