used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
account-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was in vain.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
Drownlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
EMBANKMENTnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənt/
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
expenditurenounUS /ɪkˈspendətʃər/
money paid out; an amount spent
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was in vain.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
set afire or burning
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
on a floor above
From this reading THE CUT EMBANKMENT Drownlands had been for some time in the upstairs room that served as his office.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading But it was in vain.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
workmennounUS /ˈwɜːrkmɪn/
plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading He had brought out his account-books, lighted his lamp, and was endeavouring to engage his thoughts on his expenditure in wages, and to go over the names of his workmen, and strike out such as had taken part in the recent riot.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was poor comfort to him to know that she would remain in his house, but it was a comfort.
Zita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a few futile attempts, he leaned his head on his palm, and gave himself over to thoughts of Zita.
