1861
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
1913
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
besmirched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/
official routes of communication
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
convertingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
couplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
DIVORCEverbUS /dɪˈvɔːrs/
part; cease or break association with
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
enactedverbUS /eˈnæktəd/
past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
exploitationnounUS /ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/
the act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
followsverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊz/
third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
fraternitynounUS /frəˈtɜːrnəti/
a social club for male undergraduates
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
HistorynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
ignominynounUS /ˈɪɡnoʊmɪni/
a state of dishonor
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
lawnounUS /lɔː/
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
LAWSnounUS /lɔːz/
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
legislativeadjectiveUS /ˈledʒəsleɪtɪv/
relating to a legislature or composed of members of a legislature
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
matrimonialadjectiveUS /ˌmætrəˈmoʊniəl/
of or relating to the state of marriage
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
membersnounUS /ˈmembərz/
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
mercenarynounUS /ˈmɜːrsəneri/
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
mismatedadjective
not easy to combine harmoniously
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
NEVADAnounUS /nəˈvɑːdə/
a state in the western United States
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
outcastsnounUS /ˈaʊtkæsts/
plural of “outcast” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
PnounUS /piː/
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
perniciousadjectiveUS /pərˈnɪʃəs/
exceedingly harmful
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/
prepared and printed for distribution and sale
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
RenonounUS /ˈriːnoʊ/
a city in western Nevada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains; known for gambling casinos and easy divorce and remarriage
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
reputationnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃən/
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
SamnounUS /sæm/
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
StatenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
territorialadjectiveUS /ˌterɪˈtɔːriəl/
of or relating to a territory
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
travelverbUS /ˈtrævəl/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
unenviableadjectiveUS /əˈnenviːəbəl/
hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
From this reading "The unenviable reputation, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in regard to the divorce law, has heaped ignominy on the State of Nevada.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The law was good enough for Nevada and gave general satisfaction until its exploitation for purely mercenary motives began.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The divorce law of Nevada was enacted by the first territorial legislative assembly in 1861.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A few unscrupulous members of the legal fraternity, little better than outcasts at home, have come to Reno and besmirched the good name of a great State by their activity in converting into pernicious channels a law originally intended to give relief to mismated couples who could not travel the matrimonial highway in peace and harmony.
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading NEVADA DIVORCE LAWS "The History of Nevada," published in 1913, Sam P. Davis writes as follows:
