used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
ablestadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəlst/
superlative of “able” — (usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
speak to
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
(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 They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
constraintnounUS /kənˈstreɪnt/
the state of being physically constrained
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
councillors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
induceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/
cause to arise
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
metropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
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 They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
held or filled or in use
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
express in words
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
in the near future
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
carry out
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But as soon as they came into the presence of the student a sort of constraint sprang up between them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From his position in the council chamber, he was able to address and induce many of the ablest of the councillors to come and inquire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
at the time that
From this reading When they came to the metropolis the clerk brought many of his acquaintances to see the student.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were occupied all the time on speculating what motive it was that made him say these things, and as to what kind of difference it was which they felt existing between him and them.
the words that are spoken
From this reading They did not take his words as having any real meaning.
