used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
in addition
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
Carlotta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
Deschamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
the act of departing
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
half-formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
irresoluteadjective
uncertain how to act or proceed
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
not any; not one
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
not one, and not any
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
RosanounUS /ˈroʊzə/
large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
Rosa'snounUS /ˈroʊzəz/
possessive form of “rosa” — large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
only a very short time before
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
schemesnounUS /skiːmz/
plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Several half-formed schemes flitted through my head, but none of them seemed to be sufficiently clever.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading THE PORTRAIT For the next hour or two I wandered about Rosa's flat like an irresolute and bewildered spirit.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading I had the idea of going to see Carlotta Deschamps in order to warn her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading That some sort of a plot existed--whether serious or trivial was no matter--there could be little doubt, and there could be little doubt also that Carlotta Deschamps was at the root of it.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
but in spite of that
From this reading I wished to act, yet without Rosa I scarcely liked to do so.
