used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
in addition
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
any thing at all
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
asylums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
aversionnounUS /əˈvɜːrʒən/
a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
conceivingverbUS /kənˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
true confidential information
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
put on clothes
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
usually; as a rule
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
jestsnounUS /dʒests/
plural of “jest” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
lieutenantsnounUS /luːˈtenənts/
plural of “lieutenant” — a commissioned military officer
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
engage in
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
managingverbUS /ˈmænədʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
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 There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
medalsnounUS /ˈmedəlz/
plural of “medal” — an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the force of workers available
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/
make less visible or unclear
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
perishverbUS /ˈperɪʃ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
by chance
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
subordinateadjectiveUS /səˈbɔːrdəneɪt/
lower in rank or importance
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
thoroughnessnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊnəs/
conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
in the direction of
From this reading These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
unconquerableadjective
not capable of being conquered or vanquished or overcome
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
unrealisedadjective
of persons; marked by failure to realize full potentialities
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
precisely as stated
From this reading There is also a third kind of man, fortunately a very rare kind.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There are also a good many men who are capable of conceiving great ideas and forming vast plans, but who have an unconquerable aversion to anything in the way of a detail.
(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 These men make admirable lieutenants and fill subordinate positions so well that towards the end of their lives they are allowed to attend full dress evening parties with medals and stars hung round their necks or pinned on their coats.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
which person or people
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
workhouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men generally end their days in obscure asylums, possibly in workhouses, and their ideas, after living for a while as subject matter for jests, perish unrealised.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There are men in the world, a great many of them—who are capable of managing details with thoroughness and efficiency.
