used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
(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 An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
attractionsnounUS /əˈtrækʃənz/
plural of “attraction” — the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
Castrillon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
classicnounUS /ˈklæsɪk/
a creation of the highest excellence
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
colouringnounUS /ˈkʌlərrɪŋ/
a digestible substance used to give color to food
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
ConfidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
dressing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
depressingly dark
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
immediately past
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
monarchnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrk/
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
not any; not one
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
something you have to do
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
the local environment
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
pirouetting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
participate in games or sport
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
puppetnounUS /ˈpʌpət/
a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
reproductionnounUS /ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən/
the process of generating offspring
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
SeizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
sour-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
sublimelyadverb
in a lofty and exalted manner
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
superblyadverbUS /ˈsuːpərbli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
unsurpassableadjective
not to be exceeded
From this reading An unsurpassable actor of noble parts, he seemed created to play the hero in deeds, the poet in thoughts, the lover on all occasions.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading Confident of his attractions, he appeared quite free from vanity: each fresh attitude became him better than the last: no light could do less than show the classic beauty of his head and body.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
wedding-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The Marquis of Castrillon, meanwhile, was pirouetting sublimely before the long mirror in his dressing-room, while his valet, a sour-faced individual, looked on in great but gloomy interest.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading The Marquis was superbly dressed in a Louis Seize costume--an exact reproduction of the one worn by that monarch on his wedding-day--and he presented a very fine figure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In features, expression, colouring, and manner it would have been difficult to find, or imagine, a more fascinating puppet.
