31
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
(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 The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
BECKONINGverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
comfortsnounUS /ˈkʌmfərts/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
committeenounUS /kəˈmɪti/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
economicsnounUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪks/
the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
in a free manner
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
installedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɔːld/
inflected form of “instal” — set up for use
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
luxuriesnounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəriz/
plural of “luxury” — something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
by chance
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
returnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
self-supportingadjective
financially independent
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Polly said:-- "There are some things we are sure of: we like the country, and it likes us.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The building of the factory was practically completed, though not all of its machinery had yet been installed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
look attentively
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading THE THIRD BECKONING On the afternoon of December 31 I called a meeting of the committee of ways and means, and Polly and I locked ourselves in my office.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We had spent our money freely,--too freely, perhaps; and we were now ready to watch the returns.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
a late time of life
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was then two and a half years since we commenced the experiment of building a factory farm, which was to supply us with comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of life, and yet be self-supporting: a continuous experiment in economics.
