used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
matters of personal concern
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
anew
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
(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 His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
brought into existence
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
DetroitnounUS /dɪˈtrɔɪt/
the largest city in Michigan and a major Great Lakes port; center of the United States automobile industry; located in southeastern Michigan on the Detroit river across from Windsor
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
divideverbUS /dɪˈvaɪd/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
dwellersnounUS /ˈdwelərz/
plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
educateverbUS /ˈedʒəkeɪt/
give an education to
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
foresightnounUS /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/
providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
fortiethnounUS /ˈfɔːrtiɪθ/
position 40 in a countable series of things
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
set up or found
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
coins made of gold
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
joined in matrimony
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
MichigannounUS /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
not any; not one
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
and nothing more
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
any competition
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
unusual or striking
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/
take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
residentsnounUS /ˈrezɪdənts/
plural of “resident” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
reversesnounUS /rɪˈvɜːrsɪz/
plural of “revers” — a lapel on a woman's garment; turned back to show the reverse side
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Following this awful calamity came a series of reverses in business which no human foresight could prevent.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
a male human offspring
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
sparselyadverbUS /ˈspɑːrsli/
in a sparse way
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
stabilitynounUS /stəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
possessing sweep
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
typesnounUS /taɪps/
plural of “type” — a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
in or at the place that
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He had been very happy in his married life and very prosperous in his business; but, alas, for the stability of human affairs, his wife died.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading It is not a little remarkable that the six dwellers in Gold Cave Camp should represent four of the five types into which scientists divide the human race, but this though curious in itself, is not nearly so much so as their being residents of this sparsely settled wilderness, and living, as it were, in caves in the depths of the earth.
Willett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Willett had been a merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where his only child, Sam, was born.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading His property was swept away, and in his fortieth year he found himself a poor man, with a son to educate and care for and all life’s battle to fight over again.
