used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
acidadjectiveUS /ˈæsəd/
harsh or corrosive in tone
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
anew
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
(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 The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
BurgomasternounUS /ˈbɜːrɡəmæstər/
a mayor of a municipality in Germany or Holland or Flanders or Austria
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
dispelledverbUS /dɪˈspeld/
inflected form of “dispel” — force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
dissensionnounUS /dɪˈsenʃən/
disagreement among those expected to cooperate
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
at any time
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
extinguishernounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃər/
a manually operated device for extinguishing small fires
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
fearsomeadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrsəm/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
highest in quality
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
HACKERNAGEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
lullverbUS /lʌl/
calm by deception
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
machinationsnounUS /ˌmækəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “machination” — a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
Niklaus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
not any; not one
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
on one occasion
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
pestilentadjective
exceedingly harmful
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
polemicsnounUS /poʊˈlemɪks/
the branch of Christian theology devoted to the refutation of errors
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
RETIRESverbUS /rɪˈtaɪrz/
third-person singular of “retire” — go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
Steinbach's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
SYNDICnoun
one appointed to represent a city or university or corporation in business transactions
From this reading SYNDIC HACKERNAGEL RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE.
Syndic's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
thornnounUS /θɔːrn/
something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading For Niklaus, the man, ever since he had borne official capacity, had been a more or less sharp thorn in the flesh.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
Tobias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
waggingverbUS /ˈwæɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “wag” — move from side to side
From this reading But now an extinguisher had fallen upon his machinations, and death itself was not more silent than that once busy wagging tongue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Burgomaster von Steinbach’s one fearsome terror dispelled, his next greatest consolation lay in the reflection that Tobias Hackernagel was safe in the city prison; there, with no chance of ever getting his liberty again.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading The Syndic’s harsh polemics and acid nature had always made him a dangerous creature to be about in the city, torn as it was by political and religious dissension,—a pestilent brand to all yearning for a lull in the strife of tongues.
