used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
a youthful male person
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
combinazione
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
confidentiallyadverbUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəli/
in a confidential manner
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading It was decidedly the subtler of the two.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
forefingernounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/
the finger next to the thumb
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
ha-hanounUS /ˌhɑːˈhɑː/
a loud laugh that sounds like a horse neighing
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
set down according to a plan
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
and nothing more
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
PaduanounUS /ˈpædjuːə/
a city in Veneto
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading He was evidently proud of his little _combinazione_.
prouderadjectiveUS /ˈpraʊdər/
comparative of “proud” — feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
self-applause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
not in physical motion
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
subtleradjectiveUS /ˈsʌtələr/
comparative of “subtle” — difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading It was decidedly the subtler of the two.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
express in words
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
that'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was decidedly the subtler of the two.
waggingverbUS /ˈwæɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “wag” — move from side to side
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But he was prouder still of the other combination, about which he now confidentially leaned across the table to tell me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I could not help laughing, and the old Count joined in with a joyous ha-ha that was the expression of a profound satisfaction, that was, as it were, a burst of self-applause.
yellow-nailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And it’s not merely his military duties,” he said, wagging at me the thick, yellow-nailed forefinger which he had laid against his nose, “it’s not merely his military duties that’ll keep the boy in Padua.
