used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
agriculturenounUS /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/
a large-scale farming enterprise
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
apprenticenounUS /əˈprentəs/
works for an expert to learn a trade
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
assistantsnounUS /əˈsɪstənts/
plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
boardingnounUS /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
a youthful male person
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
carpenternounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntər/
a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
farmersnounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
furnishverbUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
destroyed or killed
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
immediately past
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
engage in
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
manufacturingnounUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərɪŋ/
the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
not any; not one
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
and nothing more
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
carry out
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
unsatisfactorilyadverb
in an unsatisfactory manner
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
at the time that
From this reading When the three months were over, the stock of money which Andy and his mother had saved up was almost gone.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In a small country town like that in which he lived there was little opportunity for a boy, however industrious, to earn money.
which person or people
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE WILL AT LAST The next three months passed very unsatisfactorily for Andy.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The farmers generally had sons of their own, or were already provided with assistants, and there was no manufacturing establishment in the village to furnish employment to those who didn't like agriculture.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Andy had some idea of learning the carpenter trade, there being a carpenter who was willing to take an apprentice, but, unfortunately, he was unwilling to pay any wages for the first year--only boarding the apprentice--and our hero felt, for his mother's sake, that it would not do to make such an engagement.
