adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
advantageousadjectiveUS /ˌædvənˈteɪdʒəs/
giving an advantage
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
ADVENTURESnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/
on or to one side
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
CAPTIVEnounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
causenounUS /kɑːz/
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
choicenounUS /tʃɔɪs/
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
communitiesnounUS /kəˈmjuːnətiz/
plural of “community” — a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
divestverbUS /daɪˈvest/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
FindingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
free-handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
kinderadjectiveUS /ˈkaɪndər/
comparative of “kind” — having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
lavishnessnoun
the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
LeonnounUS /ˈliːɑːn/
a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern Spain
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
liberalitynounUS /ˌlɪbɜːrˈælətiː/
an inclination to favor progress and individual freedom
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
LIFEnounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/
joined in matrimony
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
misersnounUS /ˈmaɪzərz/
plural of “miser” — a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/
plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
niggardnounUS /ˈnɪɡərd/
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
parsimoniousadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrsəˈmoʊniəs/
excessively unwilling to spend
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
povertynounUS /ˈpɑːvərti/
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
preservingverbUS /prəˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “preserve” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
prodigalnounUS /ˈprɑːdɪɡəl/
a recklessly extravagant consumer
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
prodigalitynoun
the trait of spending extravagantly
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
profuseadjectiveUS /prəˈfjuːs/
produced or growing in extreme abundance
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
propensitynounUS /prəˈpensɪti/
an inclination to do something
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
propertynounUS /ˈprɑːpərti/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
rareadjectiveUS /rer/
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
realitynounUS /ˌriːˈælətiː/
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
RELATESverbUS /rɪˈleɪts/
third-person singular of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/
determined
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/
possessing material wealth
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
soldiernounUS /ˈsoʊldʒər/
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
soldier'snounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
possessive form of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
soldiersnounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
sonsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
succeedverbUS /səkˈsiːd/
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading My father had three, all sons, and all of sufficient age to make choice of a profession.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
wealthnounUS /welθ/
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading My father went beyond liberality and bordered on prodigality, a disposition by no means advantageous to a married man who has children to succeed to his name and position.
WHEREIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading Finding, then, that he was unable to resist his propensity, he resolved to divest himself of the instrument and cause of his prodigality and lavishness, to divest himself of wealth, without which Alexander himself would have seemed parsimonious; and so calling us all three aside one day into a room, he addressed us in words somewhat to the following effect:
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading WHEREIN THE CAPTIVE RELATES HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES My family had its origin in a village in the mountains of Leon, and nature had been kinder and more generous to it than fortune; though in the general poverty of those communities my father passed for being even a rich man; and he would have been so in reality had he been as clever in preserving his property as he was in spending it.
youthnounUS /juːθ/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading This tendency of his to be liberal and profuse he had acquired from having been a soldier in his youth, for the soldier's life is a school in which the niggard becomes free-handed and the free-handed prodigal; and if any soldiers are to be found who are misers, they are monsters of rare occurrence.
