Chapter XIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

the state of being absent

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

contrary to your interests or welfare

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

later than; following

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

any thing at all

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

fearless and daring

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

United States politician who was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles (1917-1998)

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

of short duration or distance

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

showing careful forethought

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

of an obscure nature

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

divisible by two

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

at any time

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

accept an excuse for

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

a social unit living together

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

involving financial matters

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

past form of “grace” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

a woman host

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

plural of “hostess” — a woman host

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

used to form the superlative

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

not any; not one

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

the property of being smooth and shiny

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

radiating or as if radiating light

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

precisely, exactly

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

marked by or given to doubt

From this reading But with his return to London, after his brief absence, there was no excuse for any hostess, even the most sceptical, in refusing to admit him to social equality on the ground of poverty.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

having a supporting base

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading As T. B. had said, Poltavo had returned from his brief sojourn in Great Bradley, and emerged into society a new and more radiant being than ever he had been before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There had always been some doubt as to the Count's exact financial position, and cautious hostesses had hesitated before they had invited this plausible and polished man to their social functions.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the activity of making visits

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

which person or people

From this reading There were whispers adverse as to his standing; there were even bold people who called into question his right to employ the title which graced his visiting cards.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were half a dozen Poltavos in the _Almanack De Gotha_, any one of whom might have been Ernesto, for so vague is the Polish hierarchy that it was impossible to fix him to any particular family, and he himself answered careless inquiries with a cryptic smile which might have meant anything.