used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
Boisgobey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
breakfasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
uttered without voice
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
capitalistnounUS /ˈkæpətəlɪst/
a conservative advocate of capitalism
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
courtedverbUS /ˈkɔːrtɪd/
past form of “court” — make amorous advances towards
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
dispositionsnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “disposition” — your usual mood
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
Du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/
past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
Gaboriaunoun
French writer considered by some to be a founder of the detective novel (1832-1873)
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
intriguenounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
IsaacnounUS /ˈaɪzək/
(Old Testament) the second patriarch; son of Abraham and Sarah who was offered by Abraham as a sacrifice to God; father of Jacob and Esau
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
Isidore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/
Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
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 There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
the force of workers available
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
modestlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdəstli/
with modesty; in a modest manner
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
novelistnounUS /ˈnɑːvələst/
one who writes novels
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
and nothing more
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
on the contrary
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
recreationnounUS /ˌrekriˈeɪʃən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
schemesnounUS /skiːmz/
plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were a good many points in common between the two men despite their different dispositions.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mystery and intrigue were the very air he breathed, and for recreation he asked for nothing better than a romance by Gaboriau or Du Boisgobey.
at the time that
From this reading He was breakfasting rather later, but quite modestly, in his chambers when Lawrence called on him the next morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Despite his vast wealth and the manner in which he was courted and flattered by society, Mr. Isaac Isidore had contrived to remain single.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had only one passion, and that was the making of money by ingenious schemes; in fact, had he not been a capitalist he would have made a wonderfully good novelist, as Lawrence often said.
