used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
AdvertisingnounUS /ˈædvərtaɪzɪŋ/
a public promotion of some product or service
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
(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 It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
bookkeepingnounUS /ˈbʊkkiːpɪŋ/
the activity of recording business transactions
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
ChairmannounUS /ˈtʃermən/
the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
clacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
clacking-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
coffinnounUS /ˈkɔːfɪn/
box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
cognounUS /kɔːɡ/
a subordinate who performs an important but routine function
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
decimalnounUS /ˈdesəməl/
a proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
one or the other of two
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
divisible by two
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
at any time
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
immutableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmjuːtəbəl/
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
and nothing more
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
immediately past
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
ManagernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
manufacturernounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərər/
a business engaged in manufacturing some product
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
MidwesternadjectiveUS /mɪˈdwestərn/
of a region of the United States generally including Ohio; Indiana; Illinois; Iowa; Missouri; Kansas; Nebraska; and sometimes Michigan; Wisconsin; Minnesota
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
okaysnounUS /ˌoʊˈkeɪz/
plural of “okay” — an endorsement
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
salesnounUS /seɪlz/
income (at invoice values) received for goods and services over some given period of time
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
successive (without a break)
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
a special situation
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
transistornounUS /trænˈzɪstər/
a semiconductor device capable of amplification
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading As for the Advertising Manager, the last thing he wanted to do was question them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was fantastic that the error--one of two decimal places--should enjoy a straight run of okays, human and mechanical, clear down the line; but when the figures clacked out at the last clacking-out station, there it was.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
at the time that
From this reading It all began when the new bookkeeping machine of a large Midwestern coffin manufacturer slipped a cog, or blew a transistor, or something.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The figures were now sacred; immutable; and it is doubtful whether the President of the concern or the Chairman of the Board would have dared question them--even if either of those two gentlemen had been in town.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading There's nothing wrong with dying--it just hasn't ever had the proper sales pitch!
