used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
(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 NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading I was always an American talking to an Italian.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading I was always an American talking to an Italian.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I was always an American talking to an Italian.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
bossnounUS /bɑːs/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading The boss was always an American talking to a Dago.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
Dagonoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Italian descent
From this reading The boss was always an American talking to a Dago.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading This seemed to me a great disadvantage.
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 NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
a boy or man
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
set up or found
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This seemed to me a great disadvantage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
handicappedadjectiveUS /ˈhændikæpt/
having restricted mental or physical functioning as a consequence of injury or illness
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
engage in
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This seemed to me a great disadvantage.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
nationalitiesnounUS /ˌnæʃəˈnælɪtiz/
plural of “nationality” — people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
OPPORTUNITIESnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This seemed to me a great disadvantage.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading I was always an American talking to an Italian.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I was always an American talking to an Italian.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The handicap did not lie so much in the fact that we couldn't make ourselves understood--we could after a rough fashion--as it did in the fact that this made a barrier which kept our two nationalities sharply defined.
in the company of; together with
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading NEW OPPORTUNITIES I had found that I was badly handicapped in all intercourse with my Italian fellow workers by the fact that I knew nothing of their language and that they knew but little English.
