used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DARK CLOUDS ARE GATHERING.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
careersnounUS /kərˈɪrz/
plural of “career” — the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading DARK CLOUDS ARE GATHERING.
CornwallnounUS /ˈkɔːrnwɔːl/
a hilly county in southwestern England
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DARK CLOUDS ARE GATHERING.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was making a reputation; his foot was on the ladder.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading DARK CLOUDS ARE GATHERING.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was making a reputation; his foot was on the ladder.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
issuesnounUS /ˈɪʃuːz/
plural of “issue” — an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading He was making a reputation; his foot was on the ladder.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was making a reputation; his foot was on the ladder.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the local environment
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
Phoebe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
pregnantadjectiveUS /ˈpreɡnənt/
carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
progressingverbUS /prəˈɡresɪŋ/
-ing form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the possibility of future success
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading He was making a reputation; his foot was on the ladder.
cut with a saw
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
not in physical motion
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He still possessed but a scanty purse, but he saw before him an almost certain prospect of success.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
troublousadjective
full of trouble
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
wealnoun
a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
which person or people
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
in the company of; together with
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading During these troublous months in Phoebe's life matters pregnant with momentous issues for weal or woe were progressing in the careers of others who are playing their parts in this domestic drama.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading From a worldly point of view Fred Cornwall was making rapid progress.
