used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
(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 full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
automobilesnounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːlz/
plural of “automobile” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
countrysidenounUS /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
rural regions
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
destroyingverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
at any time
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
a man of refinement
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/
United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
on one occasion
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
PlanternounUS /ˈplæntər/
the owner or manager of a plantation
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
polo-playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
preposterousadjectiveUS /prɪˈpɑːstərəs/
so unreasonable as to invite derision
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
on the contrary
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
possessing material wealth
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
ruraladjectiveUS /ˈrʊrəl/
living in or characteristic of farming or country life
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
except for; apart from
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
refrain from harming
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
survivalnounUS /sərˈvaɪvəl/
a state of surviving; remaining alive
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
underminedverbUS /ˌʌndərˈmaɪnd/
past form of “undermine” — destroy property or hinder normal operations
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
urgingnounUS /ˈɜːrdʒɪŋ/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading The full realization, at any rate, came all at once, unexpectedly, destroying his dreary outlook, urging him to fantastic heights, and, for that matter, to rather curious depths.
vacationsnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “vacation” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading He liked that, for he had spent his vacations, all his spare hours, indeed, at the stable or on the road, so that by the time the crash came he knew more of horses and rode better than any hunting, polo-playing gentleman he had ever seen about that rich countryside.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
at the time that
From this reading George Morton never could be certain when he first conceived the preposterous idea that Sylvia Planter ought to belong to him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After a precarious survival of a rural education he had done his best to save his father's livery business which cheap automobiles had persistently undermined.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It was, altogether, a year of violent change.
