used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
ablyadverbUS /ˈeɪbli/
with competence; in a competent capable manner
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
astoundedadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
avalanchenounUS /ˈævəlæntʃ/
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
BrutusnounUS /ˈbruːtəs/
statesman of ancient Rome who (with Cassius) led a conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar (85-42 BC)
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
an occurrence of something
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
driblets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
ipse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
JupiternounUS /ˈdʒuːpətər/
the largest planet and the 5th from the sun; has many satellites and is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
not any; not one
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
parsonnounUS /ˈpɑːrsən/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
established beyond doubt
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
Riccabocca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
rueus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
sagenounUS /seɪdʒ/
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
souseverb
cover with liquid; pour liquid onto
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
up to a particular time
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing- robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply."
Tremendo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
tumultu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche!
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.
