used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
(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 Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
author'snounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
possessive form of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
for the reason that
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
book-agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
book-dealer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
Clemens's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
enlargementnounUS /ɪnˈlɑːrdʒmənt/
the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
apart from; not including
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
fabulouslyadverbUS /ˈfæbjuːləsli/
exceedingly; extremely
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
set up or found
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
gainsnounUS /ɡeɪnz/
plural of “gain” — a quantity that is added
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
ten 10s
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
illogicaladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
lacking in correct logical relation
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
a form of address for a man
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
not any; not one
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
and nothing more
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
percentagenounUS /pərˈsentədʒ/
a proportion in relation to a whole (which is usually the amount per hundred)
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
prosperedverbUS /ˈprɑːspərd/
past form of “prosper” — make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
salesnounUS /seɪlz/
income (at invoice values) received for goods and services over some given period of time
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
subscriptionnounUS /səbˈskrɪpʃən/
a payment for consecutive issues of a newspaper or magazine for a given period of time
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
carry out
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
Twain'snounUS /tweɪnz/
possessive form of “twain” — two items of the same kind
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
precisely as stated
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
(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 The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
in or at the place that
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
