used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
amusementsnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənts/
plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
Brunner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
put on clothes
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
ex-cabinet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
Fontaine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
set up or found
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
Gaudissart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
Graffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
not accessible to view
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
investmentsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestmənts/
plural of “investment” — the act of investing; laying out money or capital in an enterprise with the expectation of profit
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
promotingverbUS /prəˈmoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “promote” — contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
railwaysnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪz/
plural of “railway” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
Schwab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
self-madeadjective
having achieved success or recognition by your own efforts
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
in a serious manner
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
shareholdernounUS /ˈʃerhoʊldər/
someone who holds shares of stock in a corporation
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
shrewdnessnounUS /ˈʃruːdnəs/
intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
carry out
From this reading A self-made man, he did not take himself seriously.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is like La Fontaine's fable," smiled the ex-cabinet minister.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
venturesnounUS /ˈventʃərz/
plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading Gaudissart found investments for his capital in other ventures.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He thought well of Schwab, Brunner, and the Graffs; that firm was promoting railways, he became a shareholder in the lines.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
but in spite of that
From this reading His shrewdness was carefully hidden beneath the frank carelessness of a man of pleasure; he seemed to be interested in nothing but amusements and dress, yet he thought everything over, and his wide experience of business gained as a commercial traveler stood him in good stead.
