used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
at or in or to any place
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
on or to one side
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
balancingnounUS /ˈbælənsɪŋ/
getting two things to correspond
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
boastedverbUS /ˈboʊstəd/
past form of “boast” — show off
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
BuffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
ClevelandnounUS /ˈkliːvlənd/
the largest city in Ohio; located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie; a major Great Lakes port
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
democracynounUS /dɪˈmɑːkrəsi/
the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
districtsnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkts/
plural of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
drearadjective
causing dejection
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
elevatorsnounUS /ˈeləveɪtərz/
plural of “elevator” — lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
equalitynounUS /ɪˈkwɑːləti/
the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
factoriesnounUS /ˈfæktəriz/
plural of “factory” — a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
set up or found
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
manufacturingnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərɪŋ/
the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
march in a procession
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
neighborhoodsnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊdz/
plural of “neighborhood” — a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
not any; not one
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
not divisible by two
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
soapnounUS /soʊp/
a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
squalornounUS /ˈskwɑːlər/
sordid dirtiness
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
in or at that place or location
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aside from the Falls I found it a little tame, no especial snap to it—not as much as I had felt to be characteristic of Cleveland.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading FINDING Cleveland hopeless for me, I one day picked up and left.
migratory
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then came Buffalo, which I reached toward the end of March.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Here, as in Cleveland, I could not help but see that in spite of our boasted democracy and equality of opportunity there was as much misery and squalor and as little decent balancing of opportunity against energy as anywhere else in the world.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading What interest there was for me I provided myself, wandering about in odd drear neighborhoods, about grain elevators and soap factories and railroad yards and manufacturing districts.
