used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
(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 I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
ANECDOTESnounUS /ˈænəkdoʊts/
plural of “anecdote” — short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
From this reading ANECDOTES OF MR.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
brought together in one place
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
illustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
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 LINCOLN.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
the force of workers available
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
a form of address for a man
From this reading ANECDOTES OF MR.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ANECDOTES OF MR.
many times at short intervals
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
outsetnounUS /ˈaʊtset/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
by chance
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
quotation-marks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading A man’s character often is best disclosed by trifling incidents, and it is for this reason, perhaps, that the public is eager to read anecdotes of its illustrious men.
the act of using
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading I shall devote the present chapter to anecdotes of President Lincoln, gathered from various quarters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I shall not use quotation-marks, but content myself with saying at the outset that they are all borrowed.
