used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
a cherished desire
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
lacking funds
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
engage in
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
mirenounUS /maɪr/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
mockingadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
with speed
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
To recall to mind.
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
revivedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvd/
restored to consciousness or life or vigor
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
move upward
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
RuinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
that is looked for
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
not in physical motion
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Attempt to Build a Temple to Fortune Out of the Ruins of Home.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
trucklingnoun
the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
precisely as stated
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
Vivian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vivian's head drooped; but he raised it quickly, and laughed his low, mocking laugh.
at the time that
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
worthieradjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrðiər/
comparative of “worthy” — having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable
From this reading The ambition with which I had sought the truckling Frenchman revived, and took worthier and more definite form.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would lift myself above the mire, make a name, rise in life!"
but in spite of that
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But," said Vivian, pursuing his tale, "but when you came to my aid, not knowing me; when you relieved me; when from your own lips, for the first time, I heard words that praised me, and for qualities that implied I might yet be 'worth much,'--ah!" he added mournfully, "I remember the very words,--a new light broke upon me, struggling and dim, but light still.
