used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
completionnounUS /kəmˈpliːʃən/
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
complyverbUS /kəmˈplaɪ/
act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
deriveverbUS /dərˈaɪv/
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
to come or go into
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
divisible by two
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
come to pass
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
immediately past
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
hear with intention
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
a woman of refinement
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
a particular point in time
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
used to form the superlative
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
PersianounUS /ˈpɜːrʒə/
an empire in southern Asia created by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC and destroyed by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
poniardnoun
a dagger with a slender blade
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
by chance
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
express the need or desire for
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
sabrenounUS /ˈseɪbər/
a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
cut with a saw
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading You cannot be ignorant, that the unhappy sometimes derive a degree of consolation from a relation even of their most painful adventures.
precisely as stated
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
at the time that
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
which person or people
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading What I request, then, will be of service to you, if you will have the goodness to comply.’
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading “‘Listen then,’ she said, ‘to a narrative of circumstances the most distressing that can possibly happen to any one so much in love as I am, and who thought herself almost at the completion of her wishes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When I saw the robbers enter, with a sabre in one hand and a poniard in the other, I concluded the very last moment of my existence was at hand, and that the prince of Persia was in equal danger.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “‘Madam,’ I answered, ‘I beg of you not to refuse me.
