used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
constructingverbUS /kənˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
contactsnounUS /ˈkɑːntækts/
plural of “contact” — close interaction
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
dozingverbUS /ˈdoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
formalitiesnounUS /fɔːrˈmælətiz/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
yet to be or coming
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
Hildegarde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
a message received and understood
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
interviewsnounUS /ˈɪntərvjuːz/
plural of “interview” — the questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
machine-shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
not any; not one
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
on one occasion
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
PotterverbUS /ˈpɑːtər/
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
reluctantadjectiveUS /rɪˈlʌktənt/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
scurryingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not seen Hildegarde, for her father had once more sent her away, and she had not been reluctant to go.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading It seemed he could get nowhere, could lay his hand on no definite information, perceive nowhere a definite plan for the future or sign of constructing a plan.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
tapenounUS /teɪp/
a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
tripsnounUS /trɪps/
plural of “trip” — a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
unreeling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
WaitenounUS /weɪt/
United States jurist who was appointed chief justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1874 by President Grant (1816-1888)
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading If the Middle West was dozing, official Washington appeared to him to be walking in its sleep.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Now came months of labor and of scurrying about the country for Potter Waite; half a dozen trips to Washington interrupted his work in the machine-shop; formalities, futile interviews, unreeling of red tape wasted his time in the capital.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If travel, fresh contacts, strange people promised to distract her mind from the facts she confronted, she would gladly give them an opportunity to keep their promise.
