Chapter II

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading He had a new situation, new surroundings, new acquaintances.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

cause to be bored

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

a man who drives a coach (or carriage)

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

making or willing to make concessions

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

close interaction

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

your usual mood

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

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

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

divisible by two

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

set up or found

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had a new situation, new surroundings, new acquaintances.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

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

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

moving to the inside of something

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

the literary culture

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

used to form the superlative

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

a judge of a probate court

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

United States assassin of President John F. Kennedy (1939-1963)

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

emanating from a person's emotions and prejudices

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

temperamentally disinclined to talk

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

confidently optimistic and cheerful

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

term of address for a man

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading He had a new situation, new surroundings, new acquaintances.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

the environmental condition

From this reading He had a new situation, new surroundings, new acquaintances.

carry out

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

a special situation

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

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

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

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

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

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

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

precisely as stated

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

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

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Oswald had been a week at Castle Grenwitz, and the week had seemed to him but a day.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was his nature to take up every new thing with a passion, even though the new thing was ordinary enough in itself, and here it was far from being so.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading The letters which he wrote at this time to his friends all bore the impress of this happy, conciliatory disposition.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading All this caused him, with his sanguine temper, for a time a most delightful sensation; he found it easy to discover charms, and at least something interesting, in all with whom he came into contact; in the baroness, with her cold, severe features; even in the reticent coachman, against whom he had been so strongly prejudiced on the very first evening; even in the humble familiar servant, with his everlasting: "What are your orders, sir?"