Chapter I

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

expressing offensive reproach

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

having companions or an escort

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

move towards

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

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

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

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

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

the two together, not just one

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

under normal conditions

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

softened by the addition of cushions or padding

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

done or made or performed with purpose and intent

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

the operator of a motor vehicle

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

half the width of an em

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

lovable especially in a childlike or naive way

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

past form of “fare” — proceed or get along

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

with indifference; in an indifferent manner

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

like the discordant ringing of nonmusical metallic objects striking together

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

social deportment

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a person who carries a message

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

preside over

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

inform (somebody) of something

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

held or filled or in use

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

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

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

(Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

a male human offspring

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

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

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

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

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort, so that the two outside passengers now fared indifferently, but the middle one, who was the Count, was comfortable enough.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

a listing of the words used in some enterprise

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a message informing of danger

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

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

From this reading The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the object of his coming.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

during the time that

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.

which person or people

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading With a great jangling of sleigh-bells and much shouting from his driver, who addressed the three horses by every epithet both endearing and abusive that his vocabulary could provide, Count Maximof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof.

a late time of life

From this reading The Count was accompanied by his wife, Avdotia, and his son, a child of ten years, as well as by the priest of the district who had been picked up _en route_ at his own village.

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

From this reading The child Alexander, commonly called Sasha, sat by the driver, a young serf of surly appearance and manners, while the three elders occupied--as best they could--the cushioned seat behind.