used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
abbreviationnounUS /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃən/
a shortened form of a word or phrase
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
for the reason that
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
cheapenedverbUS /ˈtʃiːpənd/
past form of “cheapen” — lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
COTTON-GIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
cotton-plant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
denoteverbUS /dɪˈnoʊt/
be a sign or indication of
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
devicenounUS /dɪˈvaɪs/
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
Eli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inventor was an American, Eli Whitney.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
fibernounUS /ˈfaɪbər/
a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
ginnounUS /dʒɪn/
strong liquor flavored with juniper berries
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
handyadjectiveUS /ˈhændi/
easy to reach
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading The inventor was an American, Eli Whitney.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
absolutely essential
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
removingverbUS /riˈmuːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
seednounUS /siːd/
a small hard fruit
From this reading The cotton-gin is a machine for removing the seed from the fiber of the cotton-plant.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COTTON-GIN Another great invention is the cotton-gin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
the act of using
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The inventor was an American, Eli Whitney.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is great because of the commercial prosperity which it brought to the Southern states; because it cheapened and extended the use of an almost necessary article of life; and because of its effect on American history.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading The inventor was an American, Eli Whitney.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The word _gin_ is an abbreviation of _engine_, and in former days was often used to denote a handy mechanical device of any kind.
