used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
(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 He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
in addition
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
cravingsnounUS /ˈkreɪvɪŋz/
plural of “craving” — an intense desire for some particular thing
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
dedicatedadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/
devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
deftadjectiveUS /deft/
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
devolvedverbUS /dɪˈvɑːlvd/
past form of “devolve” — pass on or delegate to another
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
take in solid food
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
energiesnounUS /ˈenərdʒiz/
plural of “energy” — (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
at any time
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
fosteredverbUS /ˈfɑːstərd/
past form of “foster” — promote the growth of
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
gainfuladjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪnfəl/
yielding a fair profit
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
gearings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
gladsomeadjective
experiencing or expressing gladness or joy
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
Hoss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
inactivitynounUS /ˌɪnækˈtɪvɪti/
the state of being inactive
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
interferedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/
past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
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 In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
held dear
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
manualnounUS /ˈmænjuːəl/
a small handbook
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
on one occasion
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
a human being
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
reluctantadjectiveUS /rɪˈlʌktənt/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
selfsameadjective
being the exact same one; not any other:
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
Shackleford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
specializedadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəlaɪzd/
developed or designed for a special activity or function
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In order that he might enjoy long periods of manual inactivity it devolved upon him at intervals to devote his reluctant energies to gainful labor.
vocationnounUS /voʊˈkeɪʃən/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SHORT NATURAL HISTORY If ever a person might be said to have dedicated his being to the pursuit of leisure, that selfsame was Red Hoss Shackleford, of color, and highly so.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading But also he loved to eat, and he had a fancy for wearing gladsome gearings, and these cravings occasionally interfered with the practice of his favorite vocation.
which person or people
From this reading He was one who specialized in the deft and fine high art of doing nothing at all.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With him leisure was at once a calling to be followed regularly and an ideal to be fostered.
