used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
speak to
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
ambitionsnounUS /æmˈbɪʃənz/
plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
ArmournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
a line of approach
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
CHASINGverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “chase” — go after with the intent to catch
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
CHICAGOnounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
coldestadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldəst/
superlative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/
inspired with confidence
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
at any time
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
set up or found
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
ten 10s
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, I believe, the coldest night that I had ever experienced.
landladynounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/
a landlord who is a woman
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
matteredverbUS /ˈmætərd/
past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
nine-forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/
a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
except for; apart from
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
carry out
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The city was new and strange to me and I wandered here and there for hours before I finally found my brother's address on Armour Avenue.
migratory
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
in or at the place that
From this reading But the wandering and anxiety mattered little, for I was in the great city where I intended beginning my career, and felt that bigger things were in store for me.
WILL-O-THE-WISP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The next day my brother's landlady appeared to take a good deal of interest in me and encouraged me so that I became quite confidential, and told her of my ambitions for the future and that it was my intention to work, save my money and eventually become a property owner.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading CHICAGO, CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP That was on Sunday morning three hundred miles south of Chicago, and at nine-forty that night I stepped off the New Orleans and Chicago fast mail into a different world.
