used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had about two hundred dollars, and that was all he had.
(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 All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/
get temporarily
From this reading He was in no position to borrow.
the two together, not just one
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
dishonoredadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɑːnərd/
suffering shame
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
endorsedverbUS /enˈdɔːrst/
past form of “endorse” — be behind; approve of
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
divisible by two
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
promote over another
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading SURPRISE--UNEXPECTED RELIEF--GRATITUDE.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
holdersnounUS /ˈhoʊldərz/
plural of “holder” — a holding device
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
honoredadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
ten 10s
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
maturingverbUS /məˈtʃʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “mature” — develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
a form of address for a man
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
not any; not one
From this reading He was in no position to borrow.
a brief written record
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
notificationnounUS /ˌnoʊtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
an accusation of crime made by a grand jury on its own initiative
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
notifyingverbUS /ˈnoʊtəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “notify” — inform (somebody) of something
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He was in no position to borrow.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the possibility of future success
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading SURPRISE--UNEXPECTED RELIEF--GRATITUDE.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading SURPRISE--UNEXPECTED RELIEF--GRATITUDE.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
thereofadverbUS /ˌðeˈrʌv/
of or concerning this or that
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had about two hundred dollars, and that was all he had.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading SURPRISE--UNEXPECTED RELIEF--GRATITUDE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading All this was known to Mr. Townsend, but the formal notification thereof by the holders of the maturing paper, made him feel worse even than he already felt in the prospect of its being dishonored, both by the drawers and himself.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On the morning of the day on which the events of the preceding chapter took place, Mr. Townsend received by mail a letter notifying him that a note of twelve hundred dollars, drawn by the firm that had failed, in his favor, and by him endorsed, would be due at a certain bank on the next day, and desiring him to see that it was duly honored.
