used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
a youthful male person
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
cablegrams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
dictatedadjectiveUS /dɪkˈteɪtɪd/
determined or decided upon as by an authority
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
divisible by two
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
FARMERSnounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
the act of departing
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
jingled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
the act of departing
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
the literary culture
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
a particular point in time
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
overhearverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːr/
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
salesmannounUS /ˈseɪlzmən/
a man salesperson
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
telegramsnounUS /ˈteləɡræmz/
plural of “telegram” — a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
transactionsnounUS /trænˈzækʃənz/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading As the nature of his business was largely Greek to me I could be allowed to overhear; but I was really more interested in the methods than in the matter of his transactions.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While he was going through his mail telegrams were delivered to him and the telephone jingled at his elbow.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
which person or people
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He dictated letters, talked over the telephone, and answered telegrams--even cablegrams--without leaving his desk.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A BURDEN OF FARMERS One interested hour was spent in the office of a captain of industry who attended to urgent work while I read a morning paper and awaited his leisure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The pressure of a button would bring an office boy, a secretary, or a salesman to his side, according to the needs of the moment.
