adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
begunverbUS /bɪˈɡʌn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
broadnessnoun
the property of being wide; having great width
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
buildverbUS /bɪld/
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
compositenounUS /kəmˈpɑːzət/
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
district-messenger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
dumpyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌmpi/
resembling a garbage dump
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
fatadjectiveUS /fæt/
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
Gallegher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/
usually; as a rule
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
genericadjectiveUS /dʒəˈnerɪk/
relating to or common to or descriptive of all members of a genus
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
graduatedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːeɪtɪd/
marked with or divided into degrees
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
IllustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
individualsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/
plural of “individual” — a human being
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
loseverbUS /luːz/
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
nickel-plated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
office-boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
patronizedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪtrənaɪzd/
having patronage or clients
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading They generally graduated into district-messenger boys, and occasionally returned to us in blue coats with nickel-plated buttons, and patronized us.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
self-respectnounUS /ˌselfrɪˈspekt/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
shortnessnounUS /ˈʃɔːrtnəs/
the property of being of short spatial extent
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Gallegher was short and broad in build, with a solid, muscular broadness, and not a fat and dumpy shortness.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
titlenounUS /ˈtaɪtəl/
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Gallegher was something different from anything we had experienced before.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, “smart” boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading {Illustration: “Why, it's Gallegher!” said the night editor.} We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of “Here, you”; or “You, boy.”
