used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
avenuesnounUS /ˈævənuːz/
plural of “avenue” — a line of approach
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
bein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
in addition to; as well as
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
bumnounUS /bʌm/
a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
cashnounUS /kæʃ/
money in the form of bills or coins
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
circulationnounUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪʃən/
the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
discouragin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
divisible by two
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
an established custom
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
handbillnounUS /ˈhændbɪl/
an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
hard-workin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
hold-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
money-orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
puttin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It keeps money out of circulation, besides bein' discouragin' and puttin' many a hard-workin' hold-up on the bum."
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
rudimentsnounUS /ˈruːdɪmənts/
a statement of fundamental facts or principles
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
Schoolmarmnoun
a woman schoolteacher (especially one regarded as strict)
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
Smith'snounUS /smɪθs/
possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Besides, a lack of education is such a handicap in business."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Schoolmarm ignored the handbill episode and went on:
the least favorable outcome
From this reading "The worst handicap I has to complain of," said Smith grimly, "is the habit people has got into of sending money-orders through the mail, instead of the cash.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But," she persisted, the real meaning of Smith's observations entirely escaping her, "even the rudiments of an education would be such a help to you, opening up many avenues that now are closed to you.
