used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
(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 But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
avocationnounUS /ˌævəˈkeɪʃən/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
BRUSTLES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
cleanedverbUS /kliːnd/
past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
diligentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/
quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
doctrinenounUS /ˈdɑːktrən/
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
divisible by two
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
exemplifiedverbUS /ɪɡˈzempləfaɪd/
inflected form of “exemplify” — be characteristic of
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
halfpennynoun
an English coin worth half a penny
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
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 But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
Loto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
nutsadjectiveUS /nʌts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
and nothing more
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
pitch-and-toss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
pitchingnounUS /ˈpɪtʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
shoeblack-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
a particular situation
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
be seated
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
refrain from harming
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
dependable
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Such time as he could spare from his avocation he devoted to diligent study of the doctrine of chance, as exemplified in the practice of pitch-and-toss.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
vicissitudesnounUS /vɪˈsɪsɪtuːdz/
plural of “vicissitude” — a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But through all his vicissitudes, BEN kept a stout heart, never losing his conviction that something--he knew not what--would eventually turn up.
which person or people
From this reading BEN BRUSTLES was only a poor shoeblack-boy who cleaned boots--ay, and even shoes, for his daily bread.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Often and often, after pitching and tossing in the cold wet streets for long weary hours, he would return home without a halfpenny.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Think of this, ye more fortunate youths, who sit at home at ease, and play Loto for nuts!
