used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
acknowledgedadjectiveUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒd/
recognized or made known or admitted
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
matters of personal concern
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
BrentnounUS /brent/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
contemptuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtemptʃwəsli/
without respect; in a disdainful manner
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
conventionsnounUS /kənˈvenʃənz/
plural of “convention” — a large formal assembly
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
deliveriesnounUS /dɪˈlɪvəriz/
plural of “delivery” — the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
disregardverbUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrd/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
divisible by two
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
financialadjectiveUS /fəˈnænʃəl/
involving financial matters
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
Halloway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
incorrigibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːrədʒəbəl/
impervious to correction by punishment
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
inflatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleɪtɪd/
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
irregularlyadverbUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələrli/
at an uneven rate
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
money-grubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
moralistnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlɪst/
a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
not any; not one
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
observantadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvənt/
paying close attention especially to details
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
on the contrary
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
reversedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɜːrst/
turned inside out and resewn
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
scoffernoun
someone who eats food rapidly and greedily
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
Shoulder-blade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mail came irregularly to Shoulder-blade creek, but even irregular deliveries may bring bad news.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
warningsnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “warning” — a message informing of danger
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading He had spoken contemptuously to Brent of money-grubbing, but his inflated wealth carried certain responsibilities which even he acknowledged.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Halloway received a letter, one day, containing a summons which he could not disregard.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He was perfectly willing that his world should see in him an incorrigible scoffer at moral conventions.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He rather enjoyed being the object of maternal warnings to young daughters, but in financial affairs no stern moralist could have been more observant of rigid integrity, and in that, as in other things, he reversed the usual order.
