used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
(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 The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
competingverbUS /kəmˈpiːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “compete” — compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
devisedverbUS /dɪˈvaɪzd/
past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
distancedverbUS /ˈdɪstənst/
past form of “distance” — keep at a distance
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
EXPLANATORYadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsplænətɔːri/
serving or intended to explain or make clear
From this reading EXPLANATORY.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
and nothing more
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
the force of workers available
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
mountain-railway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
not any; not one
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
Nordheim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/
make less visible or unclear
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
purchasedverbUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəst/
past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
a male human offspring
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
technicaladjectiveUS /ˈteknɪkəl/
of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
precisely as stated
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading The invention was as clever as it was practical; it instantly distanced all competing devices, and was adopted by the company, which finally purchased the patent from the inventor at a price which then seemed a fortune to him, and which certainly laid the foundation of his future wealth, for he took rank immediately among men of enterprise.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
which person or people
From this reading President Nordheim belonged to the class of men who owe their success to themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The son of a petty official, with no means of his own, he had educated himself as an engineer, and had lived in very narrow circumstances until he suddenly appeared before the public with a technical invention which attracted the attention of the entire profession.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The first mountain-railway had just been projected, and the young, obscure engineer had devised a locomotive which could drag the trains up the heights.
