used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
affordingverbUS /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
CHASMnounUS /ˈkæzəm/
a deep opening in the earth's surface
From this reading THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
carefully weighed
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
constablesnounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəlz/
plural of “constable” — a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
deputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
Fairfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
Nathan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
not any; not one
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
particlenounUS /ˈpɑːrtəkəl/
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
PLANKverbUS /plæŋk/
cover with planks
From this reading THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM.
poorhousenounUS /ˈpuːrhaʊs/
an establishment maintained at public expense in order to provide housing for the poor and homeless
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
premisesnounUS /ˈpreməsəz/
land and the buildings on it
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
robbernounUS /ˈrɑːbər/
a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM.
up to a particular time
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
a just detectable amount
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no trace of the robber or the money had been obtained.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The constables and the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of consolation.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea was of being dried up.
