used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
achievementsnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənts/
plural of “achievement” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
anew
From this reading Again he struggled to break his bonds.
(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 Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
assassinsnounUS /əˈsæsənz/
plural of “assassin” — a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading Again he struggled to break his bonds.
terminate
From this reading Again he struggled to break his bonds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
a period of 100 years
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
dennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
set up or found
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
GENEVIÈVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GENEVIÈVE.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
ten 10s
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
ignominiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡnəˈmɪniəs/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
on one occasion
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
one of four equal parts
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Again he struggled to break his bonds.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he watched?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing his life in an ignominious den of assassins.
