used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
in actual fact
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
from appearances alone
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
Bertrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
BiographiesnounUS /baɪˈɑːɡrəfiz/
plural of “biography” — an account of the series of events making up a person's life
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
brought into existence
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
deem to be
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
coolienoun
(ethnic slur) an offensive name for an unskilled Asian laborer
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
every person
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
evolutionnounUS /ˌevəˈluːʃən/
a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
a social unit living together
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
furtherancenounUS /ˈfɜːrθərəns/
encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
governingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
hereditynounUS /hərˈedəti/
the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
occurring by chance
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
luxuriouslyadverb
in an indulgently luxurious manner
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
middle-classadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəlˈklæs/
occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
not any; not one
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
on one occasion
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
PresumablyadverbUS /prəˈzuːməbli/
by reasonable assumption
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
pygmynounUS /ˈpɪɡmi/
an unusually small individual
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
respectablyadverbUS /riˈspektəbli/
to a tolerably worthy extent
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
SkeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
specknounUS /spek/
a very small spot
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
not in physical motion
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
very small
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
Tressider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
unchangeableadjective
not changeable or subject to change
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
unfathomableadjectiveUS /ənˈfæðəməbəl/
of depth; not capable of being sounded or measured
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
unitnounUS /ˈjuːnət/
any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading As usual, the unchangeable law of life governing such things permitted him no choice of parents.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was another unit of evolution; another tiny speck in the pattern of the universe; another spark of energy let loose in a scheme, apparently eternal, for the furtherance of some vast, unfathomable design.
well-to-doadjective
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading _Two Skeleton Biographies_ Bertrand Paul Tressider had been born into a fairly well-to-do, middle-class family.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Having been respectably, if not actually luxuriously, ushered into "this best of all possible worlds," he at once became the victim--like everybody else--of environment, heredity and his own devices.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Presumably, therefore, he would consider himself lucky in not appearing on earth as a Chinese coolie, or, worse still, an African pygmy.
