used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
any person at all
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
astonishverbUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃ/
affect with wonder
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
BerlinnounUS /bərˈlɪn/
capital of Germany located in eastern Germany
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
bonhomienoun
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading It meant much money and little comfort.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
divisible by two
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
first-classadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrstˈklæs/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
frolickingverbUS /ˈfrɑːlɪkɪŋ/
inflected form of “frolic” — play boisterously
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
provoking horror
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It meant much money and little comfort.
jubilationnounUS /ˌdʒuːbəˈleɪʃən/
a feeling of extreme joy
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the sound of laughing
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
markedlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːrkədli/
in a clearly noticeable manner
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It meant much money and little comfort.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
middlingnounUS /ˈmɪdəlɪŋ/
any commodity of intermediate quality or size (especially when coarse particles of ground wheat are mixed with bran)
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading It meant much money and little comfort.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It meant much money and little comfort.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
and nothing more
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
pleasure-loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
express in words
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
a special situation
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
precisely as stated
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
ViennanounUS /viˈenə/
the capital and largest city of Austria; located on the Danube in northeastern Austria; was the home of Beethoven and Brahms and Haydn and Mozart and Schubert and Strauss
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
violinsnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪnz/
plural of “violin” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And only the fact that I was living in a very middling first-class hotel spoiled my pleasure.
showing sorrow
From this reading These first days of Vienna appear to my memory as a kind of storm of jubilation, as a tempest of laughter and cries of amusement, of shouting and singing, of the frolicking of light feet, of the sweet weeping of violins.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
which person or people
From this reading How these gay, pleasure-loving, genial people, so full of _bonhomie_ and so markedly different from the nasty inhabitants of Berlin, could start this horrible war, is the one thing that must astonish anybody who knows Vienna even a little.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
produce a literary work
From this reading I will say here, that one of the reasons why I write this book is precisely that I believe I have an explanation for this riddle, which seems nearly incapable of being solved.
