used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
(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 He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
antechambernounUS /ˈæntetʃeɪmbər/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
applicantsnounUS /ˈæplɪkənts/
plural of “applicant” — a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
remove the dust from
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
one or the other of two
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
Elysee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
functionariesnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃəneriz/
plural of “functionary” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
the act of giving
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
depressingly dark
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
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 An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
a particular point in time
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
not any; not one
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
rebellionnounUS /rɪˈbeljən/
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
a particular situation
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a council to be held at the Elysee.
troddenverbUS /ˈtrɑːdən/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
usherverbUS /ˈʌʃər/
take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
precisely as stated
From this reading He grew very excited over the proud rebellion of his old faith and shattered hopes against the negative success he had obtained.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Besides, there was no reason for giving up the struggle.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went there, but at this moment of disgust, disgust of everything and himself, this palace like all the rest, seemed to him to be gloomy and mean.
a Caucasian
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An usher in black coat and white cravat, wearing a chain around his neck, wandered up and down the antechamber, according to custom, his shoes covered with the dust from the carpet trodden upon by so many people, either applicants or functionaries.
