used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
(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 In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
anomalynounUS /əˈnɑːməli/
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
enlargedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlɑːrdʒd/
(of an organ or body part) excessively enlarged as a result of increased size in the constituent cells
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
enterprisesnounUS /ˈentərpraɪzɪz/
plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/
past form of “found” — set up or found
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
fruitionnounUS /fruːˈɪʃən/
the condition of bearing fruit
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
yet to be or coming
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
infrequentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfriːkwənt/
not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
for more time
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
the force of workers available
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
Osgood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
publishernounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃər/
a firm in the publishing business
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
rearingnounUS /ˈrɪrɪŋ/
the properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The anomaly is sad, but it is not infrequent.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
superstructurenounUS /ˈsuːpərstrʌktʃər/
structure consisting of the part of a ship above the main deck
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In the end James R. Osgood failed, though all his enterprises succeeded.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
(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 He founded his future upon those generous lines; but he wanted the qualities as well as the resources for rearing the superstructure.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were greater than his powers and his means, and before they could reach their full fruition, they had to be enlarged to men of longer purse and longer patience.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He was singularly fitted both by instinct and by education to become a great publisher; and he early perceived that if a leading American house were to continue at Boston, it must be hospitable to the talents of the whole country.
