used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
(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 The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
a period of 100 years
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He don’t know half his offspring.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
a social unit living together
From this reading Robinson is the family man of our street.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He don’t know half his offspring.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
inspiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪrɪŋ/
stimulating or exalting to the spirit
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He don’t know half his offspring.
lengthyadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθi/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
lineagenounUS /ˈlɪniədʒ/
the descendants of one individual
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Robinson is the family man of our street.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
offspringnounUS /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/
the immediate descendants of a person
From this reading He don’t know half his offspring.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Robinson is the family man of our street.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
one of four equal parts
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
returnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
not often
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Robinson is the family man of our street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He has been adding to the population of it for a quarter of a century with a regularity that is inspiring.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He is a commercial traveller, and he seldom returns from a lengthy journey without the expectation of an introduction to another of his name and lineage.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading The worst case of all, however, is that of poor Robinson.
