used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
(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 From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
celebrateverbUS /ˈseləbreɪt/
behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
inviteverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪt/
increase the likelihood of
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
lodgers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
joined in matrimony
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
Muravyin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
name-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
name-days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
not any; not one
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
on one occasion
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
provincialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɪnʃəl/
of or associated with a province
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
on the contrary
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
rejoiceverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/
feel happiness or joy
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
precisely as stated
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
VIRGINSKY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
Virginsky's-name-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the pretext of Virginsky's-name-day party, about fifteen guests were assembled; but the entertainment was not in the least like an ordinary provincial name-day party.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading From the very beginning of their married life the husband and wife had agreed once for all that it was utterly stupid to invite friends to celebrate name-days, and that "there is nothing to rejoice about in fact."
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading I VIRGINSKY LIVED IN HIS OWN house, or rather his wife's, in Muravyin Street.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading It was a wooden house of one story, and there were no lodgers in it.
a late time of life
From this reading In a few years they had succeeded in completely cutting themselves off from all society.
