used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
a youthful male person
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I really couldn't tell you offhand."
excessivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈsesɪvli/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
yet to be or coming
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
honestlyadverbUS /ˈɑːnəstli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
hooklets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
lectureverbUS /ˈlektʃər/
deliver a lecture or talk
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
miserablyadverbUS /ˈmɪzərəbli/
in a miserable manner
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
a particular point in time
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
offhandadjectiveUS /ˈɔːfˈhænd/
with little or no preparation or forethought
From this reading But I really couldn't tell you offhand."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
pivotingverbUS /ˈpɪvətɪŋ/
-ing form of “pivot” — turn on a pivot
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
pocket-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But I really couldn't tell you offhand."
To recall to mind.
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
term of address for a man
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
suckersnounUS /ˈsʌkərz/
plural of “sucker” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
tapeworms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
express in words
From this reading But I really couldn't tell you offhand."
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
totteringadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːtərɪŋ/
unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age
From this reading He looked at me anxiously, and I could see my reputation tottering in his eyes as I searched about for my pocket-book.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Poor boy--I could see that his whole future was pivoting miserably upon those forgotten suckers; and, by an excessively fortunate accident, I happened to have some notes for a lecture upon the subject in one of my pockets.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I can remember the hooklets," he gasped, "but _would_ you mind telling me, sir, which of the tapeworms it is that has four suckers?"
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you'll wait a moment," I told him honestly, "I think that I can let you know.
