used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
in actual fact
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
benevolentadjectiveUS /bəˈnevələnt/
intending or showing kindness
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
celebrationnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
charitableadjectiveUS /ˈtʃærətəbəl/
relating to or characterized by charity
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
fullestadjectiveUS /ˈfʊləst/
superlative of “full” — containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
an instinctive motive
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
JULYnounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
engage in
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
refundedverbUS /rɪˈfʌndɪd/
past form of “refund” — pay back
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He thought of the sacrifice, but the hope of not being actually compelled to make it in the end involuntarily helped him to a decision.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FOURTH OF JULY Charles Hardy was sadly disappointed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
WestonnounUS /ˈwestən/
United States photographer(1886-1958)
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
at the time that
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His feelings were with his friend in the benevolent design; it was a mere impulse, however, which prompted him to join in the act.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading When Frank had proposed the charitable plan, his heart told him how good and pleasant it would be to assist the poor woman.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had given his money to the widow Weston in the fullest confidence that it would be refunded to him, and that he should be able to attend the celebration in Boston.
