used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
(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 “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
angelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
Basil-Vassilièvitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
Chouróff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
crownsnounUS /kraʊnz/
plural of “crown” — the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
dowernounUS /daʊr/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
ForbidsverbUS /fərˈbɪdz/
third-person singular of “forbid” — command against
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
jewelsnounUS /ˈdʒuːəlz/
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
kinglyadjectiveUS /ˈkɪŋli/
having the rank of or resembling or befitting a king
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
meageradjectiveUS /ˈmiːɡər/
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
a human being
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
possession of controlling influence
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
remindsverbUS /riˈmaɪndz/
third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
not in physical motion
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
swervenounUS /swɜːrv/
the act of turning aside suddenly
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
thereonadverbUS /ðeˈrɔːn/
on that
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
Tverna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
twinnounUS /twɪn/
either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Countess Chouróff, sitting bolt upright in her chair of state, was heading her hospitable table in a dazzling haze of jewels that outlined her meager person at every edge.
which person or people
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
belonging to which person
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading “She reminds me of a wire sign illuminated by electricity,” thought Basil, who sat on her right hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
writnounUS /rɪt/
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
From this reading There be twin crowns, whose kingly dower Forbids to fail or swerve, Borne by twin angels, Love and Power, And writ thereon, “I serve.”
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
an affirmative
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Ah, yes, Princess, I pity you with all my heart!
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Imagine hiding your charm, your beauty, in a prison like Tverna--excuse me, Basil-Vassilièvitch--but you know that Tverna, magnificent though it be, _is_ a prison nine months out of the year ... a grand prison, I admit, but still a jail--a place to distract one with its loneliness.”
