used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
Al'snounUS /ælz/
possessive form of “al” — a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNLUCKY ERROR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
Boomville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
cashnounUS /kæʃ/
money in the form of bills or coins
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
carefully weighed
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
ERRORnounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading AN UNLUCKY ERROR.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
ten 10s
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
involveverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlv/
connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
OperanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
outlaynounUS /ˈaʊtleɪ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
pennilessadjectiveUS /ˈpeniləs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
a human being
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
self-esteemnoun
a feeling of pride in yourself
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Al's self-esteem had suffered a severe shock.
swindlernounUS /ˈswɪndələr/
a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
swindlingverbUS /ˈswɪndlɪŋ/
-ing form of “swindle” — deprive of by deceit
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
create by training and teaching
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
UNLUCKYadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading AN UNLUCKY ERROR.
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
valuablesnounUS /ˈvæljəbəlz/
plural of “valuable” — something of value
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had considered himself quite competent to look out for "Number One," but this plausible swindler, the very first person he had met on the train, had easily succeeded in swindling him out of all the valuables he had about him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
look attentively
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading He had lost about a hundred and fifty dollars in cash, his watch, which was worth at least another hundred, and the valuable diamond ring that had been presented to him on the stage of the Boomville Opera House.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was alone and penniless in a great city at two o'clock in the morning, with a mission to perform that would almost necessarily involve the outlay of money.
