used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
AffableadjectiveUS /ˈæfəbəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
(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 that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
in addition
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
disposalnounUS /dɪˈspoʊzəl/
the power to use something or someone
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
EXPERIMENTnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
in a free manner
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
helpfulnessnoun
the property of providing useful assistance
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
internationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/
concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
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 All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
MODESTYnounUS /ˈmɑːdəsti/
freedom from vanity or conceit
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
not any; not one
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
on one occasion
From this reading At once he assumed an attitude of helpfulness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
over-confidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
poseverbUS /poʊz/
introduce
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I also went as far as to indicate the nature of my investigations.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All that he knew about the subject of international relations was at my disposal--and he knew a surprising lot of things that were of no importance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN EXPERIMENT IN MODESTY One afternoon toward the end of my trip I made a mistake--for which I am now duly thankful.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Through weariness, or carelessness or over-confidence or a human desire to talk frankly to somebody, I dropped my pose of the Affable Stranger and freely admitted to an American whom I had engaged in conversation that I was gathering material for a book.
