adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I replied that I should like to be a Member of Parliament.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
BEVERLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEVERLEY.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
GrandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
grievouslyadverbUS /ˈɡriːvəsli/
in a grievous manner
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
impecuniousadjective
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
lenounUS /lə/
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/
joined in matrimony
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
MembernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading I replied that I should like to be a Member of Parliament.
MembersnounUS /ˈmembərz/
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
ParliamentnounUS /ˈpɑːrləmənt/
a legislative assembly in certain countries
From this reading I replied that I should like to be a Member of Parliament.
PostverbUS /poʊst/
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
preferverbUS /prəˈfɜːr/
like better; value more highly
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
rejoinedverbUS /riˈdʒɔɪnd/
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading I replied that I should like to be a Member of Parliament.
sarcasmnounUS /ˈsɑːrkæzəm/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading My uncle, who was given to sarcasm, rejoined that, as far as he knew, few clerks in the Post Office did become Members of Parliament.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I replied that I should like to be a Member of Parliament.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
VeryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
WarnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Very early in life, very soon after I had become a clerk in St. Martin's le Grand, when I was utterly impecunious and beginning to fall grievously into debt, I was asked by an uncle of mine, who was himself a clerk in the War Office, what destination I should like best for my future life.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading He probably meant to inquire whether I wished to live married or single, whether to remain in the Post Office or to leave it, whether I should prefer the town or the country.
