Chapter II

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

later than; following

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

make known; make an announcement

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

in a disagreeable manner

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

past form of “disavow” — refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The two greeted each other formally.

a movement into or inward

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

the organ of sight

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

with official authorization

From this reading The two greeted each other formally.

at a previous time

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

a person of French nationality

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading The two greeted each other formally.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a message received and understood

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a female domestic

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The two greeted each other formally.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

-ing form of “own” — have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

go across or through

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

plural of “province” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.

showing poise and confidence in your own worth

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

a state of social isolation

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading On the heels of the maid with the lights came St. Croix, better dressed, more self-confident, more assured in manner than formerly.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

familiar with many parts of the world

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two greeted each other formally.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

someone who visits

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

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

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

at the time that

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

in or at the place that

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

which person or people

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading THE INTRIGUERS Florent Van Mander, comfortable after his dinner, sitting at his open window smoking, and watching the people pass up and down the Kerkestraat, was surprised, not disagreeably, by the servant entering his solitude to announce a visitor owning a foreign name she stumbled over.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Hyacinthe St. Croix--Van Mander had known him in Arnheim when he himself was a magistrate’s clerk there, ambitious, with an eye on the Hague, and the Frenchman a half disavowed agent of the Marquis de Pomponne, some one who had travelled the Provinces several times already, observing, noting, making acquaintances and gathering information where he could.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The young secretary called for candles--he had been sitting in the dark--and closed the window.