used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/
plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
devisedverbUS /dɪˈvaɪzd/
past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
ecartenoun
a card game for 2 players; played with 32 cards and king high
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
eminentadjectiveUS /ˈemənənt/
standing above others in quality or position
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
envelopesnounUS /ˈenvəloʊps/
plural of “envelope” — a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
matureadjectiveUS /məˈtʃʊr/
characteristic of maturity
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
noiselessnessnoun
the property of making no noise
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
personalitynounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/
the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
rat-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
on the contrary
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
reappearedverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪrd/
past form of “reappear” — appear again
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
salvernoun
a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
not in physical motion
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rat-faced valet reappeared, carrying a salver on which were some half dozen envelopes.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Prince took them, and proceeded to examine them before opening them, while the valet, still with his uncanny noiselessness, continued his interrupted preparations.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Though he played in many places, he was careful not to win too much in any of them, and rather than press for a debt he would forgive it.
a late time of life
From this reading Without fortune or rich connections, he had contrived during nearly thirty years to live as a man of wealth; he had seen the game ecarte go out and bridge come in; and had so devised the effect he made that he was still more eminent as a personality than as a gambler.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading He was neither youthful nor elderly, but mature.
