Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

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

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

a state in southeastern United States between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

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

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

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

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

not close together in time

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

plural of “lecture” — a speech that is open to the public

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

plural of “library” — a room where books are kept

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

an amount of time

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

plural of “purchaser” — a person who buys

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

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

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

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

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

(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 A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

at the time that

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had always wanted to be an engineer, and to live in towns, where there were lectures and big libraries and “fellows doing things.”

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

From this reading She chose to look down on Starkfield, but she could not have lived in a place which looked down on her.

during the time that

From this reading But purchasers were slow in coming, and while he waited for them Ethan learned the impossibility of transplanting her.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

United States lexicographer who was accused of plagiarism by Noah Webster (1784-1865)

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading A slight engineering job in Florida, put in his way during his period of study at Worcester, increased his faith in his ability as well as his eagerness to see the world; and he felt sure that, with a “smart” wife like Zeena, it would not be long before he had made himself a place in it.

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

From this reading Zeena’s native village was slightly larger and nearer to the railway than Starkfield, and she had let her husband see from the first that life on an isolated farm was not what she had expected when she married.