used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
in the past
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
communionnounUS /kəˈmjuːnjən/
the act of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
corruptverbUS /kərˈʌpt/
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
egotistnounUS /ˈiːɡətɪst/
a conceited and self-centered person
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
enthusiasticallyadverbUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪkli/
with enthusiasm; in an enthusiastic manner
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
set up or found
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
of great significance or value
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
Katiousha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
absolutely essential
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
Nekhludoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
and nothing more
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
self-denyingadjective
willing to deprive yourself
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
staff-officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
at the time that
From this reading But when, as staff-officer, he was on his way to his army post, he paid a short visit to his aunts, but an entirely different man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
which person or people
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, it was necessary and important to hold communion with nature and with those people who lived, thought and felt before him (philosophers, poets); now, human institutions were the only things necessary and important, and communion he held with his comrades.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Then, the world appeared to him as a mystery which he joyfully and enthusiastically tried to solve; now, everything in this world was plain and simple, and was determined by those conditions of life in which he found himself.
a late time of life
From this reading For three years afterward Nekhludoff did not see Katiousha.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Three years ago he was an honest, self-denying youth, ready to devote himself to every good cause; now he was a corrupt and refined egotist, given over to personal enjoyment.
