used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
AlaskannounUS /əˈlæskən/
a native or resident of Alaska
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
(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 HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading THE MORNING COAT OF MR.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
Daggett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
engineeringnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪrɪŋ/
the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
entersverbUS /ˈentərz/
third-person singular of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
evolutionnounUS /ˌevəˈluːʃən/
a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
exemplifiedverbUS /ɪɡˈzempləfaɪd/
inflected form of “exemplify” — be characteristic of
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
exitnounUS /ˈeɡzɪt/
an opening that permits escape or release
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
festivitynounUS /feˈstɪvəti/
any joyous diversion
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
HUDSONnounUS /ˈhʌdsən/
a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
improbableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbəl/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
miningnounUS /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/
the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE MORNING COAT OF MR.
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE MORNING COAT OF MR.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MORNING COAT OF MR.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
prospectingverbUS /ˌprɔːˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “prospect” — search for something desirable
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
RIGGS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
rubber-plant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
surveyor'snounUS /sərˈveɪərz/
possessive form of “surveyor” — an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
tardilyadverb
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MORNING COAT OF MR.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading HUDSON B. RIGGS Mr. Hudson B. Riggs now enters the tale--somewhat tardily, and making a quick exit, all in a morning coat too tight about the shoulders, and a smile of festivity too tight about the lips.
undertaker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked as improbable as an undertaker's rubber-plant.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mr. Riggs had arrived at a golden position in Alaskan mining engineering by way of the farm, the section gang, the surveyor's chain, and prospecting; and his thick hands showed his evolution.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet in his brief course he had a mighty effect upon the progress of civilization as exemplified in the social career of Mr. Milton Daggett.
