used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
dark-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
without deviation
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
accept an excuse for
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
Fardale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
forenoonnoun
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
set up or found
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
Jabez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
LynchverbUS /lɪntʃ/
kill without legal sanction
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
PanounUS /pɑː/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading That forenoon he received a letter that had been dropped in the post-office at Fardale.
registerverbUS /ˈredʒɪstər/
record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
an educational institution
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It happened that Jabez Lynch found some excuse that enabled him to be absent from school a day, and he left Fardale by rail, saying nothing of his destination to any one.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Lincoln did not show himself much about the hotel, for Fardale was a small place, and strangers always attracted more or less attention there.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
which person or people
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading An examination of the register would have shown that he had written there "H. T. Lincoln, Philadelphia, Pa."
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The following day, by an early train, there came into Fardale a dark-faced youth, who went directly to a hotel, obtained a room, and retired to it.
