used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
AdelaidenounUS /ˈædəleɪd/
the state capital of South Australia
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
for the reason that
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
a youthful male person
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
evadeverbUS /ɪˈveɪd/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
Hartmut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
leave-takingnoun
the act of departing politely
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
letter-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
and nothing more
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
possessornounUS /pəˈzesər/
a person who owns something
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
a male human offspring
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
carry out
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost letter-case resting safely in its usual place.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
Wallmoden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It had served its purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.
which person or people
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If Wallmoden should recognize the son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be able to master his surprise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
witnessesnounUS /ˈwɪtnəsəz/
plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at least take place without witnesses.
