used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
anew
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
alma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
in addition
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
alumnusnounUS /əˈlʌmnəs/
a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
ASCENDINGadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
befallenverbUS /bəˈfɑːlən/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
beginningsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋz/
plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
Bowran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
brakemannounUS /ˈbreɪkmən/
a railroad employee responsible for a train's brakes
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
BrantnounUS /brænt/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
Brant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
congeniallyadverb
in a congenial manner
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
DenvernounUS /ˈdenvər/
the state capital and largest city of Colorado; located in central Colorado on the South Platte river
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
draughtsmannoun
a skilled worker who draws plans of buildings or machines
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
embarrassmentsnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənts/
plural of “embarrassment” — the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
a single distinct event
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
inopportuneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɑːpərˈtuːn/
not opportune
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
Isabel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
maternounUS /ˈmɑːtər/
an informal use of the Latin word for mother; sometimes used by British schoolboys or used facetiously
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
MathematicsnounUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪks/
a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
not any; not one
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
with little or no delay
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading From the first he met no inopportune acquaintances, and, again, the question of employment answered itself congenially and promptly.
recognitionnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
reformatorynounUS /rɪˈfɔːrmətɔːri/
correctional institution for the detention and discipline and training of young or first offenders
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
reputenounUS /riˈpjuːt/
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
SCALEnounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Colonel Bowran needed a draughtsman; also, he happened to hold Brant’s college in high repute, since its Professor of Mathematics had been an alumnus of his own _alma mater_.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
steeledverbUS /stiːld/
past form of “steel” — get ready for something difficult or unpleasant
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
successiveadjectiveUS /səkˈsesɪv/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
create by training and teaching
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading After the incident on the Denver journey and his instant recognition by a chance brakeman on the train, he had steeled himself, looking for similar embarrassments at every turn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
uphilladverbUS /ˈʌpˈhɪl/
against difficulties
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But uphill paths are not always rough or slippery throughout, and in proof of this the beginnings were made easy for him.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading THE SCALE ASCENDING AS for Brant and the successive steps in his reformatory experiment leading up to the good repute hinted at by Isabel’s praise, fortune, good and ill, had befallen in this wise.
