used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
any thing at all
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
applicantsnounUS /ˈæplɪkənts/
plural of “applicant” — a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
bequeathedverbUS /bəˈkwiːθt/
past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
bluntlyadverbUS /ˈblʌntli/
in a blunt direct manner
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
gritnounUS /ɡrɪt/
a hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
honestynounUS /ˈɑːnəsti/
the quality of being honest
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
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 None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
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 If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
not one, and not any
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
and nothing more
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
ouncenounUS /aʊns/
a unit of apothecary weight equal to 480 grains or one twelfth of a troy pound
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
cause to move by pulling
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
a male human offspring
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
a special situation
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
a Caucasian
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
which person or people
From this reading None knew this better than David White, and it was on this account that he took Ernest as his clerk, over the heads of several other applicants who seemed to have a stronger "pull."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading If George Duncan had not left much of worldly wealth behind him, he at least bequeathed to his son the interest of a fine, upright character and a reputation for honesty and integrity.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know anything about _you_, Ernest," he said bluntly.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You're only sixteen, and you may not have an ounce of real grit or worth in you.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But it will be a queer thing if your father's son hasn't.
