used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I Miss a Grand Opportunity.
in actual fact
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
aughtnounUS /ɔːt/
a quantity of no importance
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
Bruhl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
gotten under control
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
CouriersnounUS /ˈkɜːriərz/
plural of “courier” — a person who carries a message
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
divisible by two
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading I Miss a Grand Opportunity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I Miss a Grand Opportunity.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I Miss a Grand Opportunity.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
noblemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading I Miss a Grand Opportunity.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
rumournounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was even said that the order was contained in the letter I had carried from Paris, but on that point I was still in ignorance.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
UnderneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Couriers came and went by night and day; noblemen of high rank made mysterious visits, stayed a few hours, and then disappeared; a rumour arose that the Cardinal had actually been recalled to Court.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Underneath the peaceful surface there were, to shrewd observers, signs of a stirring agitation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For several weeks now I stayed idly at Bruhl, having nothing to do beyond an occasional turn of duty, which was really more a matter of form than of aught else.
