used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
in addition
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
currentsnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
estatesnounUS /ɪˈsteɪts/
plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
fouladjectiveUS /faʊl/
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
godmother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
highest in quality
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
heroicallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈroʊɪkli/
in a heroic manner
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
high-mindedadjectiveUS /ˌhaɪˈmaɪndɪd/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
Lanièvitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
managernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
navynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
oppressverbUS /əˈpres/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
presentimentnoun
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
replacingnounUS /rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ/
the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
RussianounUS /ˈrʌʃə/
a former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia; established in 1922; included Russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (Ukraine and Byelorussia and others); officially dissolved 31 December 1991
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
Russo-Japanese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
express in words
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
spoilingnounUS /ˈspɔɪlɪŋ/
the process of becoming spoiled
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
ThrillsnounUS /θrɪlz/
plural of “thrill” — the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
unwittingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪtɪŋ/
not done with purpose or intent
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
Vera-Nikoláievna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could not have explained this sensation had he been asked to do so, but nevertheless it was quite strong enough to oppress him almost continually by day and night.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
at the time that
From this reading Basil, watching by his godmother’s bedside when not employed in replacing her as owner and personal manager of one of the greatest estates in northern Russia, felt a constant presentiment of evil things to come.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Vera-Nikoláievna, Countess Lanièvitch, had in her day been a celebrated beauty, but this circumstance had never succeeded in spoiling the remarkably clever and high-minded woman she was.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading Her husband had fallen at the head of his regiment during the Russo-Japanese war, in the course of which her four sons, two in the cavalry and two in the navy, had also heroically yielded up their lives.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your secret thought, or foul or fair, Thrills in the currents of the air, And oft may breathe in careless play From lips unwitting what they say.
