Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

-ing form of “adapt” — make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

plural of “agent” — an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

propose a payment

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

plural of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

plural of “facility” — a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

set up or found

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

free from external control and constraint

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

heighten or intensify

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

connected by participation or association or use

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

and nothing more

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

in an essential manner

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

out of fashion

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

the acquisition of something for payment

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

superlative of “remote” — located far away spatially

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

third-person singular of “send” — cause to go somewhere

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

express in speech

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

not in physical motion

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

(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 Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading At the time of which we speak, the sea was far off, facilities of communication were rare, so that the merchants' speculations were necessarily more independent, and involved greater hazard.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.

at the time that

From this reading The business was one of a kind becoming rare nowadays, when rail-roads and telegraphs unite remotest districts, and every merchant sends from the heart of the country to bid his agents purchase goods almost before they reach the shore.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The importance of such a mercantile house as this depended upon the quantity of stores it bought with its own money and at its own risk.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Just at first Anton found some difficulty in adapting himself to the new world in which he was placed.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet there was a something about this old-fashioned house of a dignified, almost a princely character; and what was still better, it was well calculated to inspire confidence.