1819
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
1839
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
9
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
brought into existence
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
botheringverbUS /ˈbɑːðərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bother” — take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
CivilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
EliasnounUS /əˈlaɪəs/
plural of “elia” — English essayist (1775-1834)
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
HowenounUS /haʊ/
United States editor (1920-1993)
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
machine-shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
MACHINESnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
the force of workers available
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
millernounUS /ˈmɪlər/
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
millsnounUS /mɪlz/
United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
owesverbUS /oʊz/
third-person singular of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
SEWINGnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOME MACHINES THE SEWING MACHINE Civilization owes the invention of the sewing machine to Elias Howe, an American.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Howe was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading His father was a miller, and work in the mills gave the son's mind a bent toward machinery.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading One day in 1839 while Howe was working in a machine-shop in Boston, he overheard a conversation among some men regarding the invention of a knitting machine.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
yourselvespronounUS /jʊrˈselvz/
used when the people spoken to are both doing and receiving the action
From this reading "What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?
