Chapter XII · Chapter 12

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

(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 All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

Having no one else present.

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

carefully weighed

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

not carefully or expertly made

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

performance of moral or religious acts

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

of an organism prior to birth or hatching

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

characteristic of a lack of maturity

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

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 The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

occurring by chance

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

the force of workers available

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

third-person singular of “reflect” — manifest or bring back

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

except for; apart from

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

express in words

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

plural of “system” — instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

in or at that place or location

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading We had several broken railway systems north and south, but there were not then more than five thousand miles of railway built in America.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The means of travel in its best form was at that time at least curious.

being four more than twenty

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We had great men in those days, and great deeds were done; but to-day, as one reflects upon life as it then was, it seems almost impossible that they and their deeds could have existed in a time so crude and immature.

at the time that

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

produce a literary work

From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE If the world was lost through woman, she alone can save it.--_Louis de Beaufort._ In the days of which I write, our civilization was, as I may say, so embryonic, that it is difficult for us now to realize the conditions which then obtained.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading All things considered, I felt lucky when we reached New York less than twenty-four hours out from Washington.