used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
Cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
dejectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈdʒektɪd/
affected or marked by low spirits
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
Ellwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
Ensal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
envelopverbUS /ɪnˈveləp/
enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
set up or found
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
depressingly dark
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
and nothing more
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
LiberianounUS /ˌlaɪˈbɪriːə/
a republic in West Africa; established in 1822 by Americans as a way to free negro slaves
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
melancholianoun
extreme depression characterized by tearful sadness and irrational fears
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
MonrovianounUS /ˌmɑːnˈroʊviə/
the capital and chief port and largest city of Liberia
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
any competition
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading In fact, he was the subject of frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made had found inexplicable.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy atmosphere seemed to envelop him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading _He Cannot, But He Does!_ Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had just returned from an extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the outlook.
