used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
(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 the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
babenounUS /beɪb/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
futilitynounUS /fjuːˈtɪləti/
uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
hoaryadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːri/
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
Holden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
implicitadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplɪsət/
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
MEMORIAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TENNYSON'S "IN MEMORIAM."
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
Pownal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
scoffsnounUS /skɔːfs/
plural of “scoff” — showing your contempt by derision
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
scornsnounUS /skɔːrnz/
plural of “scorn” — lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
secondedverbUS /ˈsekəndɪd/
past form of “second” — give support or one's approval to
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
refrain from harming
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
squaresnounUS /skwerz/
plural of “square” — (geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
TENNYSON'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TENNYSON'S "IN MEMORIAM."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
in or at that place or location
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
wearsnounUS /werz/
plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
which person or people
From this reading But who, however, convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
in the company of; together with
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
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 It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his ability, by Pownal.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading All the time the young man could spare from his own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was little probability of succeeding in the search.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading I met with scoffs, I met with scorns From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, They called me in the public squares, The fool that wears a crown of thorns.
