used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
(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 He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
correspondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
GoldsmithnounUS /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/
an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold
From this reading Goldsmith kept his word.
hackney-coach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Goldsmith kept his word.
honourableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
JacksonnounUS /ˈdʒæksən/
English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Goldsmith kept his word.
leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/
the body of people who lead a group
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the literary culture
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
lockingnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪŋ/
the act of locking something up to protect it
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
engage in
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
peruseverbUS /pərˈuːz/
examine or consider with attention and in detail
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
rebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
rebelsnounUS /ˈrebəlz/
plural of “rebel” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
carry out
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had no need to read them all--the first that came to his hand was sufficient to make him aware of the nature of the correspondence.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He took a hackney-coach to the Temple, and was alert all the time he was driving lest Jackson and his friends might be waiting to make an attack upon him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was perfectly plain that the man had been endeavouring to traffic with the rebels, and it was equally certain that the rebel leaders had shown themselves to be too honourable to take advantage of the offers which he had made to them.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He reached his chambers without any adventure, however, and on locking his doors, took out the second parcel of letters and set himself to peruse their contents.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Goldsmith kept his word.
