used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading THE DOCTOR'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
your usual mood
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
DOCTOR'SnounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading THE DOCTOR'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
failsverbUS /feɪlz/
third-person singular of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
HunternounUS /ˈhʌntər/
someone who hunts game
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
of great significance or value
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
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 Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
meetingsnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋz/
plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
OftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
and nothing more
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
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 "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/
one who lives in solitude
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
ScientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
SHAKESPEAREnounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DOCTOR'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading He was quite unprepared for the reception that was given him there.
precisely as stated
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises."--SHAKESPEARE.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
writingsnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋz/
the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
a late time of life
From this reading Of a very quiet and retiring disposition, and having lived the life of a recluse for many years, known to the world only by his writings, it never seemed to have occurred to him that his name was a famous one in other countries as well as his own.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Dr. Hunter attended the most important meetings of the Congress of Scientists which was being held in New York.
