used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
carefully weighed
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
curiositiesnounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsətiz/
plural of “curiosity” — a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
diplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/
negotiation between nations
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading The man who kept the shop of curiosities had, indeed, enchanted him with a phrase.
encouraginglyadverb
in an encouraging manner
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
a state of high honor
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man who kept the shop of curiosities had, indeed, enchanted him with a phrase.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The man who kept the shop of curiosities had, indeed, enchanted him with a phrase.
interviewsnounUS /ˈɪntərvjuːz/
plural of “interview” — the questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
masonicadjectiveUS /məˈsɑːnɪk/
of or relating to stonemasons or masonry
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
patriot'snounUS /ˈpeɪtriəts/
possessive form of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading The man who kept the shop of curiosities had, indeed, enchanted him with a phrase.
psychologicaladjectiveUS /ˌsaɪkəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
rationalenounUS /ˌræʃəˈnæl/
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
resentmentnounUS /rɪˈzentmənt/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
do one's shopping
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
shopmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
uninitiatenoun
people who have not been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
unresponsiveadjectiveUS /ˌʌnriˈspɑːnsɪv/
not responding to some influence or stimulus
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
waneverbUS /weɪn/
grow smaller
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it was a dark resentment against the uninitiate for peeping into their masonic magnificence, he could not quite conjecture.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Despite the care with which he considered the peculiar rationale and the peculiar glory of each separate shop, there seemed to be something unresponsive about the shopmen.
which person or people
From this reading His conversation with the man who kept the shop of curiosities had begun encouragingly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After two more interviews with shopmen, however, the patriot's confidence in his own psychological diplomacy began vaguely to wane.
