used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
boredadjectiveUS /bɔːrd/
tired of the world
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
fervournoun
the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
foppishly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
and nothing more
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
Natasha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
overwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
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 The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
a special situation
From this reading My love was absolutely the real thing, just as it is described in novels--frantic, passionate, and so on.
thrashverbUS /θræʃ/
give a thrashing to; beat hard
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My happiness overwhelmed me and I did not know how to get away from it, and I bored my father and my friends and the servants, continually talking about the fervour of my passion.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
twenty-threenounUS /ˈtwentiθriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-two and one
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
twenty-twonounUS /ˈtwentituː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-one and one
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fourth, a foppishly dressed, fat little man, told us the following story:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
at the time that
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I was not more than twenty-two or twenty-three when I fell head over ears in love with my present wife and made her an offer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now I could with pleasure thrash myself for my early marriage, but at the time, I don't know what would have become of me if Natasha had refused me.
