Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

later than; following

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Where are you going?"

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

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

From this reading "Don't you like your job?"

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the act of departing

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

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

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

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

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading "Don't you like your job?"

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Don't you like your job?"

majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

engage in

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

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

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

a form of address for a man

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

give an incentive for action

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

a particular instance of selling

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

term of address for a man

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

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

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where are you going?"

during the time that

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

which person or people

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, what is the matter, Hiram?" asked Mr. McLain.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, sir," was the prompt reply, "but I have got a place that suits me better, and, besides, I shall make more money."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Don't you like your job?"

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading ALMOST A TRAGEDY A day or two after the sale of the Majestic, while the preparation of the transfer papers was going on, Mr. McLain's young man, who was acting as his secretary and clerk, asked his employer to be relieved of his present duties.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Don't you like your job?"