used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
Afanassievitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
a female human offspring
From this reading His daughter was in her seventeenth year.
dearly loved
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
domesticsnounUS /dəˈmestɪks/
plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
embroiderverbUS /ɪmˈbrɔɪdər/
decorate with needlework
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
endeavoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
estatesnounUS /ɪˈsteɪts/
plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
falconrynounUS /ˈfælkənri/
the art of training falcons to hunt and return
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
a social unit living together
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
Gavril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
a person of German nationality
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
coins made of gold
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
governesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His daughter was in her seventeenth year.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
infancynounUS /ˈɪnfənsi/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
held dear
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
maidservants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
noblemannounUS /ˈnoʊbəlmən/
a titled peer of the realm
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
nursesnounUS /ˈnɜːrsəz/
plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
playfellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
Rjevsky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
express in words
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
seventeenthadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the sixteenth in position
From this reading His daughter was in her seventeenth year.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
confined on all sides
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I must now introduce the gracious reader to Gavril Afanassievitch Rjevsky.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
the act of using
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To use his own expression, he could not endure the German spirit, and he endeavoured to preserve in his home the ancient customs that were so dear to him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He was descended from an ancient noble family, possessed vast estates, was hospitable, loved falconry, and had a large number of domestics,--in a word, he was a genuine Russian nobleman.
produce a literary work
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading His daughter was in her seventeenth year.
but in spite of that
From this reading She had lost her mother while she was yet in her infancy, and she had been brought up in the old style, that is to say, she was surrounded by governesses, nurses, playfellows, and maidservants, was able to embroider in gold, and could neither read nor write.
