used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
in addition
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
anti-everything
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
averred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
brought into existence
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
consularadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsələr/
having to do with a consul or his office or duties
From this reading Her husband was in the consular service.
a female human offspring
From this reading He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
diplomatistnoun
an official engaged in international negotiations
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
disownedverbUS /dɪˈsoʊnd/
past form of “disown” — prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
any strong feeling
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
far-seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
feudnounUS /fjuːd/
a bitter quarrel between two parties
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Her husband was in the consular service.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
most important element
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
take in marriage
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
not any; not one
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter.
pitilessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
rapiernounUS /ˈreɪpiər/
a straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Her husband was in the consular service.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading ‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the main, true.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
precisely as stated
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
at the time that
From this reading He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it.
widowernounUS /ˈwɪdoʊər/
a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There was a deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as her father averred.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter.
