used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
conversantadjectiveUS /kənˈvɜːrsənt/
(usually followed by “with”) well informed about or knowing thoroughly
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
at any time
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
accept an excuse for
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
foregroundnounUS /ˈfɔːrɡraʊnd/
the part of a scene that is near the viewer
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
Gervois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
intelligences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
memoirsnounUS /ˈmemwɑːrz/
plural of “memoir” — an account of the author's personal experiences
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
a particular point in time
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
used to form the superlative
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
not any; not one
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/
make less visible or unclear
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
something you have to do
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
with speed
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
have in common
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
themesnounUS /θiːmz/
plural of “theme” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
unimportantadjectiveUS /ənɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
not important
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My figure was never a foreground one; and in the great drama that Europe then played, my part was obscure indeed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My excuse, however, is, the events were such as to render my share in them most humble and insignificant.
at the time that
From this reading When I come to reflect over the space I have devoted in these memoirs of my life to slight and unimportant circumstances,--the small incidents of a purely personal character,--I feel that I owe my readers an apology for passing rapidly over events of real moment.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is true, I was conversant with stirring themes.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading I had on many occasions opportunities of meeting with the mighty intelligences that gave the world its destiny for the time; but in no history will there ever be a record of the humble name of Paul Gervois.
