Chapter XII

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

matters of personal concern

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

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

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

an awkward and inexperienced youth

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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 In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a city of central European Russia; formerly capital of both the Soviet Union and Soviet Russia; since 1991 the capital of the Russian Federation

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

absolutely essential

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

something you have to do

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

and nothing more

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

members of a governing board

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

a male human offspring

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

to stimulate to action

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

tending to suggest or imply

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

in or at that place or location

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

a male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917)

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

the wife or widow of a czar

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

untroubled by interference or disturbance

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

at the time that

From this reading In this retreat mother and son lived almost undisturbed by the duties of young Peter’s high position, for it was the policy of Sophia to keep the Tsar in the background, causing him to visit Moscow only on those rare occasions of ceremony when the presence of the nominal heads of the realm was absolutely necessary.

belonging to which person

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

a late time of life

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘You shall come and show my fellows how to ride,’ he had said to me, and to Preobrajensky I went, little dreaming how curious and suggestive a state of affairs I should find there.

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

From this reading It was at this time I first became intimate with a certain young lion cub destined before many years were passed--though few guessed it as yet--to become a very great and uncouth beast, and to startle the world with very loud roarings.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading Let me draw a picture of the said beast, whose name was Peter Alexeyevitch, the younger son of the Tsar Alexis.

indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration

From this reading At Preobrajensky, but a few miles from Moscow, the younger Tsar lived with his mother, the Tsaritsa Nathalia, whose authority, since the Streltsi insurrection, had declined to zero, having given place to that of the Regent Sophia and her lover, Vassili Galitsin.