used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
how long something has existed
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
(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 _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
AlmsnounUS /ɑːlmz/
money or goods contributed to the poor
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
see with attention
From this reading Behold me, then, a pauper!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
clappedverbUS /klæpt/
inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
CrimesnounUS /kraɪmz/
plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
devilsnounUS /ˈdevəlz/
plural of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
widely known and esteemed
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
flannelnounUS /ˈflænəl/
a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
lion'snounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
Man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
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 _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
paupernounUS /ˈpɔːpər/
a person who is very poor
From this reading Behold me, then, a pauper!
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
saintsnounUS /seɪnts/
plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
SamaritansnounUS /səˈmerɪtənz/
plural of “samaritan” — a member of the people inhabiting Samaria in biblical times
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
sinews
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Behold me, then, a pauper!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
throveverbUS /θroʊv/
inflected form of “thrive” — grow vigorously
From this reading 'I throve and grew; my constitution was iron--my sinews were steel, and my heart a lion's.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
at the time that
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Up to the age of twelve, I was as other children are--I cried when I was whipped, and submitted when oppressed.
which person or people
From this reading _The Dead Man's story; being a tale of many Crimes._ 'I never knew who my parents were; they may have been saints--they may have been devils; but in all probability they belonged to the latter class, for when I was three weeks old, they dropped me upon the highway one fine morning near the great city of Boston, to which famous city belongs the honor of my birth!
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading Well, I was picked up by some Samaritans, who wrapped me up in red flannel, and clapped me in the Alms House.
