used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
how long something has existed
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
appreciateverbUS /əˈpriːʃieɪt/
recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
brittleadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪtəl/
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
a person who is in charge
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
without doubt or question
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
coatingnounUS /ˈkoʊtɪŋ/
a thin layer covering something
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
cobwebsnounUS /ˈkɑːbwebz/
plural of “cobweb” — a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
the act of discovering something
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
dustingverbUS /ˈdʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “dust” — remove the dust from
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
information about recent and important events
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
many times at short intervals
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
rottenadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtən/
very bad
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
scrollnounUS /skroʊl/
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
in the near future
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading A few minutes' more gentle handling left the instrument sufficiently clean to enable him to appreciate its chief points.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading John was excited at his discovery, and felt his thoughts confused in a manner that I have often experienced myself on the unexpected receipt of news interesting me deeply, whether for pleasure or pain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With some vigorous puffs of breath and a little dusting with a handkerchief he removed the heavy outer coating of cobwebs, and began to see more clearly the delicate curves of the body and of the scroll.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading He soon collected himself and took up the instrument, using great care, as he feared lest age should have rendered the wood brittle or rotten.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet at the same time he was half amused at his own excitement, feeling that it was childish to be moved over an event so simple as the finding of a violin in an old cupboard.
