used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
brought into existence
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
BuildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
CiviladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
colonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
ContinentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
dearly loved
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
effectedadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪd/
settled securely and unconditionally
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
apart from; not including
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
not any; not one
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
obligationsnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
OttawanounUS /ˈɑːtəwɑː/
a member of the Algonquian people of southern Ontario
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
tiesnounUS /taɪz/
plural of “tie” — neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
transactionnounUS /trænˈzækʃən/
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
transferverbUS /trænˈsfɜːr/
transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
twenty-fifthadjective
coming next after the twenty-fourth in position
From this reading On my twenty-fifth birthday I set foot on the shore of the great North American Continent, destined for a time to be my home.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two days afterwards I entered the office set apart for me in the handsome Government Buildings at Ottawa, and began my duties.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading A transfer had recently been effected between the Home and Canadian Civil Service, and I had been chosen to fill the vacant colonial post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Having no ties or obligations of any kind I had nothing to lose by the transaction except the pleasure and advantage of living in England, which, however, had ceased for one or two reasons to be dear to me.
a late time of life
From this reading As my friends know, I was born an Englishman, spending the first twenty-four years of my life in England.
