used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
ConservativesnounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɪvz/
plural of “conservative” — a person who is reluctant to accept changes and new ideas
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
drainedadjectiveUS /dreɪnd/
emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or other liquid)
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
in or to another place
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
factoriesnounUS /ˈfæktəriz/
plural of “factory” — a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
not in action or at work
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
ill-conducted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
importedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtɪd/
used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
manufacturersnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərərz/
plural of “manufacturer” — a business engaged in manufacturing some product
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
manufacturesnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərz/
plural of “manufacture” — the organized action of making of goods and services for sale
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
Medchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
paralyzingverbUS /ˈperəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “paralyze” — make powerless and unable to function
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
by chance
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
pricesnounUS /ˈpraɪsəz/
plural of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
ripeadjectiveUS /raɪp/
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
ruinousadjectiveUS /ˈruːənəs/
extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
having a supporting base
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
staplenounUS /ˈsteɪpəl/
(usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
a state of acute pain
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
surplusnounUS /ˈsɜːrpləs/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
three-quartersnounUS /ˌθriːˈkwɔːrtərz/
three of four equal parts
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading An ill-conducted and ruinous war had drained the empire of its surplus wealth, and every known industry was suffering from an almost paralyzing depression--Medchester, perhaps, as severely as any town in the United Kingdom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The times were ripe for a change of any sort.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its staple manufactures were being imported from the States and elsewhere at prices which the local manufacturers declared to be ruinous.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Many of the largest factories were standing idle, a great majority of the remainder were being worked at half or three-quarters time.
a late time of life
From this reading A QUESTION FOR THE COUNTRY For the first time in many years it seemed certain that the Conservatives had lost their hold upon the country.
