used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A HELPING HAND.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
beenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
burthennoun
a variant of “burden”
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
Castleford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
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 The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
ClarencenounUS /ˈklerəns/
a closed carriage with four wheels and seats for four passengers
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
dejectionnoun
a state of melancholy depression
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
dwellverbUS /dwel/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
a social unit living together
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
fortnight's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
Frith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A HELPING HAND.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
hawksnounUS /hɔːks/
plural of “hawk” — diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
HELPINGnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading A HELPING HAND.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
hivenounUS /haɪv/
a teeming multitude
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
lighteningnounUS /ˈlaɪtənɪŋ/
descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity that occurs late in pregnancy; the fetus is said to have dropped
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
nominaladjectiveUS /ˈnɑːmənəl/
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
piteousadjective
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
proxynounUS /ˈprɑːksi/
a person authorized to act for another
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
semi-godfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
sponsorsnounUS /ˈspɑːnsərz/
plural of “sponsor” — someone who supports or champions something
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The junior partner was an old companion of my father’s boyhood; his London abode was near at hand, and he was a kind of semi-godfather to both Clarence and me, having stood proxy for our nominal sponsors.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN imagination the piteous dejection of our family seems to have lasted for ages, but on comparison of dates it is plain that the first lightening of the burthen came in about a fortnight’s time.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
VAUGHANnounUS /vɔːn/
United States jazz singer noted for her complex bebop phrasing and scat singing (1924-1990)
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The firm of Frith and Castleford was coming to the front in the Chinese trade.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading ‘Though hawks can prey through storms and winds, The poor bee in her hive must dwell.’—HENRY VAUGHAN.
