used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
affiancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
dearly loved
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
conduciveadjectiveUS /kənˈduːsɪv/
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
unvarying in nature
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
consultedverbUS /kənˈsʌltəd/
past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
defectnounUS /ˈdiːfekt/
an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
Erskine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
GibbonnounUS /ˈɡɪbən/
English historian best known for his history of the Roman Empire (1737-1794)
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
HAMILTONnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
inclinationsnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “inclination” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
opulencenounUS /ˈɑːpjələns/
wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
an amount of time
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
persevereverbUS /pərsəˈvɪr/
be persistent, refuse to stop
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading To the latter his inclinations prompted; but the former appeared the more conducive to his interest.
RobertsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbərtsən/
United States basketball guard (born in 1938)
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
only a very short time before
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
stimulatedadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪd/
emotionally aroused
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading He had been the means of preventing Maria from affiancing herself to opulence; ought not he to attempt to supply the defect?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HAMILTON, possessed of his lovely and beloved Maria, was stimulated to more constant and vigorous intellectual exertions than at any former period of his life.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He consulted with his friends, and balanced with himself, whether he should persevere in the study of the law, or entirely devote himself to literature.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The ability and industry which would enable an Erskine to acquire twelve thousand in one year, could scarcely earn so much to a Robertson or a Gibbon in the course of a literary life.
