used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
eagerly desirous
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading FORBIDDEN BOOKS.
a youthful male person
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
contrarietynoun
the relation between contraries
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
emigrateverbUS /ˈeməɡreɪt/
leave one's country of residence for a new one
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
endeavorsnounUS /ɪnˈdevərz/
plural of “endeavor” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
entertainedadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
expelverbUS /ɪkˈspel/
force to leave or move out
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
FORBIDDENadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading FORBIDDEN BOOKS.
greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/
plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
Harretzki's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
hospitablyadverb
in a hospitable manner
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
JewnounUS /dʒuː/
a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
JewishadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːɪʃ/
of or relating to Jews or their culture or religion
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
JewsnounUS /dʒuːz/
plural of “jew” — a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
Kief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/
the body of people who lead a group
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
MendelnounUS /ˈmendəl/
Augustinian monk and botanist whose experiments in breeding garden peas led to his eventual recognition as founder of the science of genetics (1822-1884)
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Mendel never missed an opportunity of passing Harretzki's house.
passportnounUS /ˈpæspɔːrt/
any authorization to pass or go somewhere
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
unusual or striking
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
RussiansnounUS /ˈrʌʃənz/
plural of “russian” — a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
cut with a saw
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
propel through the air
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Philip remained in Kief about two weeks, during which time he was hospitably entertained by the leaders of the Jewish community.
which person or people
From this reading There was some difficulty in obtaining a passport for his parents, for, anxious as the Russians are to expel the Jews, by a remarkable contrariety of human nature they throw every obstacle in the way of a Jew who endeavors to emigrate.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had a strange fascination for him, and if he but saw the American at the window and exchanged greetings with him, the boy returned home with a happy heart.
