used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
AntwerpnounUS /ˈæntwərp/
a busy port and financial center in northern Belgium on the Scheldt river; it has long been a center for the diamond industry and the first stock exchange was opened there in 1460
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
carefully weighed
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
debtsnounUS /dets/
plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
the act of departing
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
at any time
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
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 days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
a man of refinement
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
gossipsnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəps/
plural of “gossip” — light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/
past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
liabilitynounUS /ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti/
the state of being legally obliged and responsible
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
miserlyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪzərli/
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
information about recent and important events
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
a human being
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
placarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
predictedverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪd/
past form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
determined
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
salenounUS /seɪl/
a particular instance of selling
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
express in words
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
Vlierbeck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cause of his misfortune--that is to say, his liability for his brother--was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom they considered rich and miserly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
wretchedlyadverbUS /ˈretʃɪdli/
in a wretched manner
From this reading As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor.
