used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
Aloys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
in addition
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
Archduchessnoun
a wife or widow of an archduke or a princess of the former ruling house of Austria
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
ArchdukenounUS /ˈɑːrtʃduːk/
a sovereign prince of the former ruling house of Austria
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
Fessenden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
Franz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
howledverbUS /haʊld/
past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
engage in
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
take in marriage
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
easily agitated
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
Scotch-and-soda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
sippingverbUS /ˈsɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
confined on all sides
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The plan is to make her a prisoner in her own rooms until she promises to marry the Archduke Aloys Franz.
under normal conditions
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
ViennanounUS /viˈenə/
the capital and largest city of Austria; located on the Danube in northeastern Austria; was the home of Beethoven and Brahms and Haydn and Mozart and Schubert and Strauss
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fessenden’s chair was drawn close to the fire, and he was sipping a Scotch-and-soda.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was a night for a comfortable talk in a warm bright room, surrounded by books and a man’s more intimate belongings; for the wind howled about the corner of the palace and dashed the rain against the glass.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fessenden’s eyes were sparkling also, but with excitement, and he was more nervous than he usually permitted his manner to betray.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading “Within a week,” the Emperor was saying, “the Archduchess will be summoned to Vienna on one pretence or another.
