used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
how long something has existed
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
a cherished desire
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
a youthful male person
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
Camberwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
complacencynounUS /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
Curpet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
encasedadjectiveUS /enˈkeɪst/
covered or protected with or as if with a case
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
fingernailsnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərneɪlz/
plural of “fingernail” — the nail at the end of a finger
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
genteeladjectiveUS /dʒenˈtiːl/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
hand-made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
interferedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/
past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
Jenkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
staying power
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
Messrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
neatnessnounUS /ˈniːtnəs/
the state of being neat and smart and trim
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
nineteennounUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
many times at short intervals
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
recurrentadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrənt/
recurring again and again
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
unusual or striking
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
senioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
shorthandnounUS /ˈʃɔːrthænd/
a method of writing rapidly using an abbreviated symbolic system
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
Smythe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,--first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The rest of his attire was less remarkable for neatness; but at intervals an ambition to be genteel possessed him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered somewhat with official routine.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
precisely as stated
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
well-fitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His feet were very small--he often referred to the fact with frank complacency--and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
a late time of life
From this reading Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment bar in Oxford Street.
