used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
(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 Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
assembliesnounUS /əˈsembliz/
plural of “assembly” — a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
for the reason that
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
frequencynounUS /ˈfriːkwənsi/
the number of occurrences within a given time period
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
depressingly dark
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
for more time
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
miseriesnounUS /ˈmɪzəriz/
plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
absolutely essential
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
not any; not one
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
OuteradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
Rasselas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
schemesnounUS /skiːmz/
plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
term of address for a man
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Now," said the prince, "you have given me something to desire.
in the near future
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
stimulusnounUS /ˈstɪmjələs/
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
required or under orders
From this reading Considering himself as master of a secret stock of happiness, he affected to be busy in all the assemblies and schemes of diversion, because he supposed the frequency of his presence necessary to the success of his purposes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
unsociableadjective
not inclined to society or companionship
From this reading _II.--The Escape Into the Outer World_ The stimulus of this new desire--the desire of seeing the world--soon had its effect in making Rasselas no longer gloomy and unsociable.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Sir," said the old man, "if you had seen the miseries of the world, you would know how to value your present state."
