used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RIVER TRIP.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
AbrahamnounUS /ˈeɪbrəhæm/
the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and the father of Isaac; according to Genesis, God promised to give Abraham's family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan (the Promised Land); God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
in addition
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
any thing at all
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
fluentlyadverbUS /ˈfluːəntli/
in a fluent manner
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
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 had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A RIVER TRIP.
rough-and-readyadjective
crude but effective for the purpose at hand
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
express in speech
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading He had, however, acquired a taste for learning, and was a close, careful, and shrewd observer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading A RIVER TRIP.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had also the ability to speak fluently in rough-and-ready style on any subject of which he knew anything.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was approaching manhood, well prepared physically to undertake its responsibilities, but with a very slender stock of knowledge.
a late time of life
From this reading Thus passed the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
