used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading IN THE BLACK HAWK CAMPAIGN.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
CAMPAIGNnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading IN THE BLACK HAWK CAMPAIGN.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
efficientadjectiveUS /ɪˈfɪʃənt/
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
employingverbUS /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
HAWKnounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading IN THE BLACK HAWK CAMPAIGN.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE BLACK HAWK CAMPAIGN.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
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 little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
engage in
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
Offutt's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
profitablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːfətəbli/
in a productive way
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
schoolmasternounUS /ˈskuːlmæstər/
presiding officer of a school
From this reading “I have a notion to study English grammar,” he said to Mr. Graham, the schoolmaster.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
speechesnounUS /ˈspiːtʃəz/
plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE BLACK HAWK CAMPAIGN.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
the act of using
From this reading Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
(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 Knowing well the defects of his education, it occurred to him that he could use profitably some of his leisure by employing it in study.
in or at the place that
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew little or nothing of English grammar, and this was likely to interfere with him if called upon to act in any public capacity where he would be required to make speeches.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Though the young clerk proved faithful and efficient, his whole time was not taken up by his duties in Offutt’s store.
