used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
matters of personal concern
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
afther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
composedlyadverb
in a self-collected or self-possessed manner
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
dearly loved
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
Doyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading UNCLE JOHN'S FARM.
fixverbUS /fɪks/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
come to pass
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
interruptingverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌptɪŋ/
-ing form of “interrupt” — make a break in
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
JOHN'SnounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading UNCLE JOHN'S FARM.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
the force of workers available
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
needyadjectiveUS /ˈniːdi/
poor enough to need help from others
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, Uncle!
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
term of address for a man
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
soupnounUS /suːp/
liquid food especially of meat or fish or vegetable stock often containing pieces of solid food
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
sumsnounUS /sʌmz/
plural of “sum” — a quantity of money
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading UNCLE JOHN'S FARM.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading "By virtue of circumstance, my dear sir," replied the Major, composedly.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
which person or people
From this reading "How did I happen to own a farm?" asked Uncle John, interrupting his soup long enough to fix an inquiring glance upon Major Doyle, who sat opposite.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "It's a part of my duty, in attending to those affairs you won't look afther yourself, to lend certain sums of your money to needy and ambitious young men who want a start in life."
