used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
(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 At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
aversionnounUS /əˈvɜːrʒən/
a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
cabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
chroniclenounUS /ˈkrɑː.nɪ.kəl/
A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
diariesnounUS /ˈdaɪəriz/
plural of “diary” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
Irene's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
the literary culture
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
provided with artificial light
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
engage in
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
mementosnounUS /mɪˈmentoʊz/
plural of “memento” — a reminder of past events
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
portfolionounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
randomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
relicsnounUS /ˈrelɪks/
plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
express in words
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
push forcefully
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
unimportantadjectiveUS /ənɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
not important
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
the act of using
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
precisely as stated
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What could they tell him that was new?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the foot of his bed stood a cabinet in which he preserved all kinds of relics, diaries, letters--mementos of his lost love.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus he sat with his back to the door of the sitting-room, now reading, and now mechanically taking up one sheet after the other.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading He thrust in his hand at random, and drew out a portfolio containing all Irene's letters, from the first unimportant notes, in which she sent him some communication from her uncle--her uncle had an aversion to pen and ink, and was very glad to make use of his niece as a secretary--to the sheets on which the fate of his life stood written.
a late time of life
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading He lit a lamp and spread out before him this chronicle of the happiest years of his youth.
