used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
(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 With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
bluffnessnoun
good-natured frankness
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
importunateadjective
expressing persistant and earnest entreaty
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
life-timenoun
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
Olga's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
and nothing more
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
questionersnounUS /ˈkwestʃənərz/
plural of “questioner” — someone who asks a question
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
not in physical motion
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
stormedverbUS /stɔːrmd/
past form of “storm” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
suicidenounUS /ˈsuːəsaɪd/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
taciturnadjectiveUS /ˈtæsɪtɜːrn/
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
townfolk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading People crowded up to him; they almost stormed his house; but he persisted in his silence.
precisely as stated
From this reading Olga's letter he had on the very same day committed to the flames, for he feared that a court of law might require it of him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During her life-time already, her proud, taciturn, reserved nature had been a riddle to the good homely townfolk; now her death was a still greater riddle to them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Meanwhile it had got about that the physician had been the first to receive news of the suicide, and the only one to whom she herself had confided her intention.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With all the bluffness of which he was so particularly capable, he sent the importunate questioners about their business.
