used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
achievementnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
(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 Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
ambitionsnounUS /æmˈbɪʃənz/
plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
a youthful male person
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
countrysidenounUS /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
rural regions
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
recognizable; marked
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
dignifyverbUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪ/
confer dignity or honor upon
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
elasticadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæstɪk/
capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
honestynounUS /ˈɑːnəsti/
the quality of being honest
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
housewifenounUS /ˈhaʊswaɪf/
a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
lodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/
structures collectively in which people are housed
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
naivelyadverbUS /nɑːˈiːvli/
in a naive manner
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
peddlernounUS /ˈpedlər/
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
peddlingnounUS /ˈpedəlɪŋ/
the act of selling goods for a living
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
pinsnounUS /pɪnz/
plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
planternounUS /ˈplæntər/
the owner or manager of a plantation
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
on the contrary
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
rebuffsnounUS /riˈbʌfs/
plural of “rebuff” — a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
remarkingverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
only a very short time before
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
an educational institution
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
supplyingnounUS /səˈplaɪɪŋ/
the activity of supplying or providing something
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
trampingverbUS /ˈtræmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
undauntedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
UnsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading Unsuccessful in this, he decided to be a peddler, naively remarking that "honesty of purpose could dignify any profession."
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
accept gladly
From this reading Often he encountered rebuffs, sometimes he had a hearty welcome, for the visit of the country peddler was eagerly awaited by the children.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went South, hoping to teach school, as he had original ideas on the training of children.
at the time that
From this reading At times, when night came and he was far from the shelter of an inn, he had to beg a lodging from some planter.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Think of the courage of this boy, for he was scarcely more than a boy, a philosopher at heart, living in a world of dreams and books, his ambitions all for intellectual rather than material achievement, tramping the southern countryside, undauntedly peddling buttons, elastic, pins and needles, and supplying all the small wants of the country housewife!
