used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
the state of being absent
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
apexnounUS /ˈeɪpeks/
the highest point (of something)
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
associationsnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
travel across or pass over
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
CURRENTSnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
decliningverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
fosteredverbUS /ˈfɑːstərd/
past form of “foster” — promote the growth of
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
many times at short intervals
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
in a gradual manner
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
Interprovincial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
Lawson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
LoannounUS /loʊn/
the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
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 For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
Nathaniel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
something you have to do
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
participationnounUS /pɑːrˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
the act of sharing in the activities of a group
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
primeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
on the contrary
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
rifeadjectiveUS /raɪf/
most frequent or common
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
SavingsnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋz/
a fund of money put by as a reserve
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
express in words
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For a while rumors were rife, but gradually these subsided as his absence became a custom.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CROSS CURRENTS The retirement of Nathaniel Lawson from active participation in the management of the Interprovincial Loan & Savings Company had come as a complete surprise to his many acquaintances in commercial circles.
usefulnessnounUS /ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
the quality of being of practical use
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not a few missed his genial companionship, and were frank enough to say so on those rare occasions when Nat Lawson now put in an appearance at the Club.
at the time that
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why a man in his prime and at the apex of his usefulness should drop out of harness so suddenly when he appeared to be in the best of health, was something of a mystery.
a late time of life
From this reading For while he was frequently spoken of as "Old Nat," it was a familiarity fostered by long and friendly associations rather than declining years.
