used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
DawsonnounUS /ˈdɔːsən/
a town in northwestern Canada in the Yukon on the Yukon River; a boom town around 1900 when gold was discovered in the Klondike
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
wanted intensely
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading THE FOUR SISTERS.
coins made of gold
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
Klondyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
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 It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
absolutely essential
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
salarynounUS /ˈsæləri/
something that remunerates
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading THE FOUR SISTERS.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOUR SISTERS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was during the first excitement of the gold discoveries in the Klondyke that four sisters left their home in Chicago and started for Dawson.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
in or at the place that
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They owned a town lot in the city, but they had not the means with which to erect a building upon it, and the money would never be forthcoming if they remained where they were.
wrinkledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪŋkəld/
marked by wrinkles
From this reading The ordinary salary of a working woman in office or store was not sufficient to allow them more than a trifle above necessary living expenses, and they could see themselves old, wrinkled and grey before they could hope to attain their desired object.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They were young, hopeful, ambitious and handsome.
