used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
in addition
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
a line of approach
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
customersnounUS /ˈkʌstəmərz/
plural of “customer” — someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
yet to be or coming
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
harmoniums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
located inward
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
lastingadjectiveUS /ˈlæstɪŋ/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
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 As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
maximnounUS /ˈmæksəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
not any; not one
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
go across or through
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
pianosnounUS /piˈænoʊz/
plural of “piano” — a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
one of four equal parts
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
do one's shopping
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
Smith'snounUS /smɪθs/
possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
SydneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
the largest Australian city located in southeastern Australia on the Tasman Sea; state capital of New South Wales; Australia's chief port
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
carry out
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There were no customers in the shop, but he could hear voices in eager discussion, and he knew quite well what was the subject of their talk.
which person or people
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Also he happened to notice the clock, and practically adopted Sydney Smith’s wise maxim, “Take short views.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
the least favorable outcome
From this reading As he walked down the sort of avenue of pianos and harmoniums in the inner shop, there came to his mind, why, he could not have told, words spoken to him long before by that customer who had left on his mind so lasting an impression, “Courage! the worst will pass.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were exactly two hours and a quarter before closing time; he could at any rate endure as long as that, and of the future he would not think.
but in spite of that
From this reading Though he could not exactly believe the words, yet he clung to them with a sort of desperation.
