used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
Alfreda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
a person who is in charge
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
despatcher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
despatcher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
despatchers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
dismissalnounUS /dɪˈsmɪsəl/
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
destroyed or killed
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
house-cleaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
managernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
mismanagementnounUS /mɪˈsmænɪdʒmənt/
management that is careless or inefficient
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
Nicholson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
officialsnounUS /əˈfɪʃəlz/
plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
with speed
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
receiversnounUS /rəˈsiːvərz/
plural of “receiver” — set that receives radio or tv signals
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
except for; apart from
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
superintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
superintendentsnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənts/
plural of “superintendent” — a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
telegraphynoun
communicating at a distance by electric transmission over wire
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There were charges of mismanagement made against a number of the higher officials of the road, and one of the first things the receivers did was to have a general "house-cleaning."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
precisely as stated
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the life of a railroad man is very uncertain, and one day we were much surprised to hear that the road had gone into the hands of receivers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The general manager, the general superintendent, and a number of the division superintendents resigned to save dismissal, and my friend the chief despatcher went with them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
WRECKnounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading IN A WRECK The change from Alfreda to the chief despatcher's office in Nicholson was, indeed, a pleasant one.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The despatchers, especially the first trick man, seemed somewhat dubious as to my ability to do the work, but I was rapidly improving in telegraphy, and, in spite of my extreme youth I was allowed to remain.
