used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
Chris's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading Christopher Mason felt numb.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
CommandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
corenounUS /kɔːr/
a small group of indispensable persons or things
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
divisible by two
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Christopher Mason felt numb.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
GeorgetownnounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒtaʊn/
a section of northwestern Washington, D.C.
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading Christopher Mason felt numb.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading Christopher Mason felt numb.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
pavementsnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənts/
plural of “pavement” — the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
scuffedverbUS /skʌft/
past form of “scuff” — walk without lifting the feet
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
under normal conditions
From this reading Chris scuffed along the brick pavements of Georgetown, but he did not, as he usually did, look about at its familiar houses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed to him that he was as good as an orphan already, for his father, a Commander in the Navy, was far away at sea, and Chris's mother was in a hospital, not expected to live.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading This friendly core of the growing city of Washington, D.C., today seemed to him almost hostile.
in or at the place that
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
a late time of life
From this reading Georgetown, where Chris lived, is the oldest part of the capital city, built by early English settlers long years before Washington itself was even planned.
