used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
animationnounUS /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/
the condition of living or the state of being alive
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
brother-in-lawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/
a brother by marriage
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
cousin'snounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
possessive form of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
a female human offspring
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
divisible by two
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
set up or found
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/
provoking horror
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
death of a person
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
only a very short time before
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
heir's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
a social unit living together
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
indispensableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
not to be dispensed with; essential
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
immediately past
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
go away from a place
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
pretexts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
Rabenau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
sincerelyadverbUS /sɪnˈsɪrli/
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Notwithstanding the frightful catastrophe which had occurred on the occasion of his first visit, he had been forced to leave his daughter on the following morning, a nearer duty calling him to his cousin's grave.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The Baron was but now returning after a sojourn of several weeks on the Rabenau property, his own from this time forth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
at the time that
From this reading Even when the last offices were over, there remained much to be set in order, and the heir's presence had been indispensable.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
withdrawingverbUS /wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Although the visitors' stay was limited to a few days, Arthur continually found pretexts and opportunities for withdrawing from their society, an attention for which his father and brother-in-law were both sincerely grateful.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The arrival of the guests up at the chateau had brought some animation to that divided household, but it had hardly drawn the young couple more closely together.
