used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
capriciousnessnoun
the quality of being guided by sudden unpredictable impulses
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
connectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
disconnectedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskəˈnektɪd/
(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
being one more than seven
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
a social unit living together
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
fillips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
highest in quality
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
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 One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
migrationnounUS /maɪˈɡreɪʃən/
the movement of persons from one country or locality to another
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
a particular point in time
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
used to form the superlative
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
To recall to mind.
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
Identical; not different.
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
Vandover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
vividnessnounUS /ˈvɪvədnəs/
interest and variety and intensity
From this reading One of these incidents might be a great sorrow, a tragedy, a death in his family; and another, recalled with the same vividness, the same accuracy of detail, might be a matter of the least moment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he at first imagined to be the story of his life, on closer inspection turned out to be but a few disconnected incidents that his memory had preserved with the greatest capriciousness, absolutely independent of their importance.
at the time that
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
wilfuladjective
done by design
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the exception of the most recent events he could remember nothing connectedly.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading It was always a matter of wonder to Vandover that he was able to recall so little of his past life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
a late time of life
From this reading A certain one of these wilful fillips of memory would always bring before him a particular scene during the migration of his family from Boston to their new home in San Francisco, at a time when Vandover was about eight years old.
