Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

later than; following

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

United States writer of novels and short stories mostly on moral themes (1804-1864)

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

impossible to subdue

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

plural of “lack” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

the act of departing

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

engage in

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

a port city in southeastern Wales

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

not any; not one

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

and nothing more

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

participate in games or sport

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

an educational institution

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

past form of “station” — assign to a station

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a special situation

From this reading The only thing that his education has fitted him to do is, to teach school, and he may not be adapted to this, on account of some personal peculiarity.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

which person or people

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Only his indomitable will could have carried him through it.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading A college graduate who lacks the means to study a profession, and who has no influential relative to make a place for him in the world, finds himself in a most discouraging position.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading LITTLE MISERY: 1825-1835 During the War of the American Revolution, the officers of the French fleet, which was stationed at Newport, invented a game of cards, called “Boston,” of which one peculiarity was, that under certain conditions, whoever held the lowest hand would win the count.

a late time of life

From this reading This was called “Little Misery,” and this was the kind of hand which Nathaniel Hawthorne had to play for fifteen years after leaving Bowdoin College.