used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
actressnounUS /ˈæktrəs/
a female actor
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
(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 Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/
plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
assignmentsnounUS /əˈsaɪnmənts/
plural of “assignment” — a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
chafedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪft/
painful from having the skin abraded
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
conclusionsnounUS /kənˈkluːʒənz/
plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
diplomatnounUS /ˈdɪpləmæt/
an official engaged in international negotiations
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
disorderlyadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɔːrdərli/
undisciplined and unruly
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
drudgerynounUS /ˈdrʌdʒəri/
hard monotonous routine work
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
drunkenadjectiveUS /ˈdrʌŋkən/
given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
divisible by two
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
infamousadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfəməs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
LyonnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
mechanicsnounUS /məˈkænɪks/
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
information about recent and important events
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
many times at short intervals
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
established beyond doubt
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
express in words
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Percy Lyon had a natural gift for human nature, as some people have for music or for mechanics.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
confined on all sides
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
tapenounUS /teɪp/
a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
trueradjectiveUS /ˈtruːər/
comparative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading His judgment had so often proved to be truer than appearances that it had surprised even himself.
trust-president
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
UnconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
at the time that
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Unconsciously and instinctively, he could read character, and as with all instinctive knowledge, he was utterly unable to say how he reached his conclusions.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading His success in his newspaper work depended almost wholly upon this gift.
produce a literary work
From this reading In news as news he had little interest, and he often chafed at the routine drudgery of his assignments, but when his work was to "write up" some one, whether it was a drunken tramp arrested for disorderly conduct, a visiting diplomat surrounded with mystery and red tape, a famous actress or an infamous trust-president, he was in his element.
