used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
addictedadjectiveUS /əˈdɪktɪd/
compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
(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 THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
from appearances alone
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
engagingadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/
attracting or delighting
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
estimationnounUS /ˌestəˈmeɪʃən/
a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation)
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
GamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
only a very short time before
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
KendallnounUS /ˈkendəl/
United States biochemist who discovered cortisone (1886-1972)
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
malicenounUS /ˈmæləs/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
the force of workers available
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
not any; not one
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
offencenoun
the action of attacking an enemy
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
and nothing more
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
a group of people who work together
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
particularsnounUS /pərˈtɪkjələrz/
plural of “particular” — a fact about some part (as opposed to general)
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
practicesnounUS /ˈpræktəsəz/
plural of “practice” — a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
ROOTnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
transport commercially
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
ShufflesnounUS /ˈʃʌfəlz/
plural of “shuffle” — the act of mixing cards haphazardly
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
steeragenoun
the cheapest accommodations on a passenger ship
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
a special situation
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
verifiedadjectiveUS /ˈverəfaɪd/
proved to be true
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
viciousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʃəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
vilest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
which person or people
From this reading Paul Kendall, who had not occupied a berth in the steerage since the first organization of the ship, was greatly surprised and grieved to learn that some of the crew were addicted to vicious practices.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Gambling was an enormous offence, and he was not quite willing to believe that such a terrible evil had obtained a foothold in the ship.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Shuffles had told him so, apparently without malice or design, and there was no reason to doubt the truth of his statement, especially as he had given the particulars by which it could be verified.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He could hardly conceive of such a thing as boys engaging in games of chance; only the vilest of men, in his estimation, would do so.
