Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

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

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

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

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

the pelt of a bear (sometimes used as a rug)

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

placed in a grave

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

sleep lightly or for a short period of time

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

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

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

a person of German nationality

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

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

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

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

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

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

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

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

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

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

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

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

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

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

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

full of life and energy

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

in a submissive or spiritless manner

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

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

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

above and across; more than

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

having a supporting base

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

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

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

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

From this reading The coachman, buried in his high-shouldered bearskin coat, had fallen into a doze, and the horses hung their heads and meekly suffered themselves to be covered with the falling snow.

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

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

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

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

at the time that

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

which person or people

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

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

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One day, about the middle of January, when a light snow was falling in large flakes, the carriage of the old countess had been standing for more than an hour before the hotel in which Irene was stopping with her uncle.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Her uncle had retired into a window-niche, and was looking over an illustrated hunting-book; now and then he threw in a word, a question about this or that acquaintance, which immediately gave the old countess an opportunity to begin a new chapter of her town-gossip.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The new year had come, but it brought little that was new.

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

From this reading But it seemed as though the silent fall of the flakes would come to an end sooner than the storm of German and French phrases with which the lively old lady overwhelmed the young Fraeulein, who sat absently listening to her.