used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
anew
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
AlineverbUS /əˈlaɪn/
place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
(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 She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
bootnounUS /buːt/
footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
clothing in general
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
dearly loved
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
divisible by two
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
FREDA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FREDA.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
immaculateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmækjuːlɪt/
completely neat and clean
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
Jim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
and nothing more
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
providentialadjectiveUS /ˌprɑːvəˈdenʃəl/
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
To recall to mind.
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
rustics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Poor, dear, dear old Jim, it was as hard to imagine him shabby, as it is now to imagine Freda back again in our ramshackle life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
solenounUS /soʊl/
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
tailor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aline always said that it was providential that Freda should have married, and married a rich man.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was always so fresh and trim, with such immaculate linen, and clothes that even we rustics felt were a marvel of the tailor's art.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She told Freda so herself one day, I remember, for I was in the room, but Freda only put out her red mouth, and said that she couldn't see things in that light at all, that she could have endured poverty with the best of us, and as for Jim's being a rich man, well, she would have married him if he hadn't had a sole to his boot, or a rag to his back.
