used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
accosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
amusesverbUS /əˈmjuːzɪz/
third-person singular of “amuse” — occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
assumptionnounUS /əˈsʌmpʃən/
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
a youthful male person
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
coolienoun
(ethnic slur) an offensive name for an unskilled Asian laborer
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
CUSTOMSnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
equipoisenoun
equality of distribution
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
HinounUS /haɪ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
and nothing more
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
not any; not one
From this reading The lower classes absolutely can conceive of no difference between me and the "coolie."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
productnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkt/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
sufferancenoun
patient endurance especially of pain or distress
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading AMERICAN CUSTOMS The American is an interesting, though not always pleasant, study.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
washee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
at the time that
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
which person or people
From this reading One of the extraordinary features of the American is his attitude toward the Chinese, who are taken on sufferance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As an example, a boy on the street accosts me with "Hi, John, you washee, washee?"
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading His perfect equipoise, his independence, his assumption that he is the best product of the best soil in the world, comes first as a shock; but when you find this but one of the many national characteristics it merely amuses you.
