abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
highly skilled
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
(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 All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
without doubt or question
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
approval
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
DaytonnounUS /ˈdeɪtən/
a city in southwest Ohio; manufacturing center
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
entitleverbUS /enˈtaɪtəl/
give the right to
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
divisible by two
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
with resolute determination
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
forethoughtnounUS /ˈfɔːrθɔːt/
planning or plotting in advance of acting
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
a message received and understood
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
investorsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestərz/
plural of “investor” — someone who commits capital in order to gain financial returns
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
pifflingadjective
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
possessing material wealth
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
Rivington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
salesmanshipnounUS /ˈseɪlzmənʃɪp/
skill in selling; skill in persuading people to buy
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
cut with a saw
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
supplyingnounUS /səˈplaɪɪŋ/
the activity of supplying or providing something
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
TecumsehnounUS /təˈkʌmsə/
a famous chief of the Shawnee who tried to unite Indian tribes against the increasing white settlement (1768-1813)
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
create by training and teaching
From this reading LONG before his train arrived in Dayton Tommy firmly fixed his resolve.
precisely as stated
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
belonging to which person
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
Willetts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not business ability or good salesmanship that had placed the stock, but sheer luck--the luck of having for his best friend Rivington Willetts, whose father happened to be an extremely rich man.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading All that he had so far done at the Tecumseh was piffling; the real work was before him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But even with that luck he would have failed but for his father's forethought in supplying the information that intelligent investors required.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading His first definite, concrete task--his mission to New York--had been accomplished, but he saw very clearly that his success did not entitle him to much credit.
