used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
(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 There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
barbarousadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːrbərəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
bovar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
Catharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
d'esprit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
embellishverbUS /ɪmˈbelɪʃ/
add details to
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
excelverbUS /ɪkˈsel/
distinguish oneself
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
facilitynounUS /fəˈsɪlɪti/
a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
finessenounUS /fɪˈnes/
subtly skillful handling of a situation
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
a person of German nationality
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Her loveliness was indeed great.
kinsmannounUS /ˈkɪnzmæn/
a male relative
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading Her loveliness was indeed great.
engage in
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
Mierowna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
NATALIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NATALIE.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
quotationnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃən/
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
ScottishnounUS /ˈskɑːtɪʃ/
the dialect of English used in Scotland
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
express in speech
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
wanderernounUS /ˈwɑːndərər/
someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
well-supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
at the time that
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
which person or people
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading Thus their acquaintance with European literature enabled them to excel in an easy and well-supported conversation of which the old bovar, their kinsman, could make nothing; and which they could embellish by their wit and power of quotation, and with an exquisite _finesse d'esprit_ peculiarly their own.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are few Russian ladies now, who do not speak with equal facility, German, French, and English; but Natalie Mierowna and her cousin were then each mistress of them all,--and this was in the comparatively barbarous time of Catharine II.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When this dangerous charm was added to the great beauty of Natalie, she could not but prove a perilous acquaintance for the young Scottish wanderer.
