used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
how long something has existed
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
cause to be bored
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
censers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
unvarying in nature
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
dearly loved
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
an established custom
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
held dear
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
engage in
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
salutingverbUS /səˈluːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “salute” — propose a toast to
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
term of address for a man
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
a male human offspring
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
in the near future
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
sub-Government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
superiorsnounUS /suːˈpɪriərz/
plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I soon discovered that he was extremely humble and poor, being employed as a sub-Government clerk.
(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 was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
which person or people
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
belonging to which person
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Next to his son, who bore a close resemblance to him, he loved what he called his garden, a small box of earth at the window, and a few flowers, which opened with the sun.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He was bent less by age than by his constant habit of saluting every one, by his care to keep his head lower than his superiors, and by his duty, which consisted in doing the work of those above him, as well as his own.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading They were the little censers of his worship, whose fragrance ascended to heaven with his morning prayers.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “ ‘My dear sir,’ said one of our neighbours, an actor more successful in life than my master, ‘you are far too modest; you do not make enough of yourself.
