used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
CanadanounUS /ˈkænədə/
a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
Coburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
conspiracynounUS /kənˈspɪrəsi/
a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
CornetnounUS /kɔːrˈnet/
a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valves
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
Cornet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading No detail was important in itself.
divertingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
divisible by two
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
to an extreme degree
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
ten 10s
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
of great significance or value
From this reading No detail was important in itself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading No detail was important in itself.
and nothing more
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
manifoldnounUS /ˈmænəfoʊld/
a pipe that has several lateral outlets to or from other pipes
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
not any; not one
From this reading No detail was important in itself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
Rodney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
salmonnounUS /ˈsæmən/
any of various large food and game fishes of northern waters; usually migrate from salt to fresh water to spawn
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
SeattlenounUS /siˈætəl/
a major port of entry and the largest city in Washington
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
sojourns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Finally, Cornet’s special friend, Rodney Coburn, had just returned from one of his hundred sojourns in far places,—this time from an especially attractive salmon stream in Canada.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
TotemnounUS /ˈtoʊtəm/
a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading It had been drizzling slowly and mournfully, but drizzle is not uncommon in Seattle.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No detail was important in itself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The manifold powers of circumstance were in conspiracy against Ned Cornet this late August afternoon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ned Cornet had been passing the time pleasantly in the Totem Club, on Fourth Street, doing nothing in particular, nothing exceedingly bad or good or even unusually diverting; but such was quite a customary practice with him.
