used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
acquisitionnounUS /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
propose a payment
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading PERILS BY THE WAY.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
dalliancenounUS /ˈdæliəns/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
at any time
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
HalifaxnounUS /ˈhælɪfæks/
provincial capital and largest city of Nova Scotia
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
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 He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
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 There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
noveltiesnounUS /ˈnɑːvəltiz/
plural of “novelty” — originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
PERILSnounUS /ˈperəlz/
plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading PERILS BY THE WAY.
playmatesnounUS /ˈpleɪmeɪts/
plural of “playmate” — a companion at play
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading His intimate knowledge of the business portion of the city stood him in good stead.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
TerrynounUS /ˈteri/
English actress (1847-1928)
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PERILS BY THE WAY.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
bound or secured closely
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
being of use or service
From this reading By the end of his first month of service Terry had become somewhat accustomed to the novelties of his position, and bid fair to prove a useful acquisition to the staff.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading PERILS BY THE WAY.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
at the time that
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
which person or people
From this reading There were many times when, being on some commission of this kind, he was sharply tempted to indulge in a little dalliance with his old playmates, who were more eager for his company than ever now that they were deprived of it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He knew every wharf in Halifax, and more than half the vessels that tied up at them, and could always be counted upon to find any one of them that the office wanted to communicate with.
