used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
(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 The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
ALTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
BELGIUMnounUS /ˈbeldʒəm/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
benefitsnounUS /ˈbenəfɪts/
plural of “benefit” — financial assistance in time of need
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
canalsnounUS /kəˈnælz/
plural of “canal” — (astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
capabilitiesnounUS /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “capability” — the quality of being capable -- physically or intellectually or legally
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
conferverbUS /kənˈfɜːr/
have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
convertverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərt/
change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
dilatedverbUS /ˌdaɪˈleɪtɪd/
past form of “dilate” — become wider
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
divisible by two
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
EXTENSIONnounUS /ɪkˈstenʃən/
a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
LEEDSnounUS /liːdz/
a city on the River Aire in West Yorkshire in northern England; a center of the clothing industry
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
MANCHESTERnounUS /ˈmæntʃestər/
largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
MIDLANDnounUS /ˈmɪdlænd/
a town in west central Texas
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
RAILWAYSnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪz/
plural of “railway” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
recommendedverbUS /ˌrekəˈmendɪd/
past form of “recommend” — push for something
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
unusual or striking
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
RESULTSnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
STEPHENSON'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This was doubtless in some measure owing to the increased force of the current of speculation at the time, but chiefly to the desire which the public began to entertain for the general extension of the system.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
tradingnounUS /ˈtreɪdɪŋ/
buying or selling securities or commodities
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was even proposed to fill up the canals and convert them into railways.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading MANCHESTER AND LEEDS, AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS--STEPHENSON'S LIFE AT ALTON--VISIT TO BELGIUM--GENERAL EXTENSION OF RAILWAYS AND THEIR RESULTS.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
at the time that
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rapidity with which railways were carried out, when the spirit of the country became roused, was indeed remarkable.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The new roads became the topic of conversation in all circles; they were felt to give a new value to time; their vast capabilities for "business" peculiarly recommended them to the trading classes, while the friends of "progress" dilated on the great benefits they would eventually confer upon mankind at large.
