used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/
past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
AdanounUS /ˈeɪdə/
an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
advertisernounUS /ˈædvərtaɪzər/
someone whose business is advertising
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
breedverbUS /briːd/
call forth
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
convinceverbUS /kənˈvɪns/
make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
divisible by two
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
a state of high honor
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
JewnounUS /dʒuː/
a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
on one occasion
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/
everlastingly; for all time
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
popularitynounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈlerəti/
the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
sedentaryadjectiveUS /ˈsedənteri/
requiring sitting or little activity
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
be seated
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
in the near future
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It had happened too easily to be true, or, at least, safe.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
vegetablenounUS /ˈvedʒtəbəl/
edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading He had to do something to justify a paper reputation for popularity and he had even to convince himself that he would not soon wake up to find it all a dream.
migratory
From this reading |THE curse of the Wandering Jew is upon the advertiser: he must move perpetually.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
which person or people
From this reading He hadn’t the sedentary gifts, nor was he of the breed of Ada, who, the state of matrimony once achieved, existed in contemplation of a glory which was even more vegetable than animal.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not that Sam would have been in any case content to sit idly on a seat in the Council Chamber.
