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 Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

past form of “admonish” — advise or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

later than; following

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

(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 PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

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

From this reading And yet here is where I falter.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

having something undesirable neutralized

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

take in solid food

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

divisible by two

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

be unsure or weak

From this reading And yet here is where I falter.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading And yet here is where I falter.

pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading There was no time to hesitate.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

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

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

a person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

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

From this reading And yet here is where I falter.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

not any; not one

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

continue talking

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

with speed

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

move upward

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not that I hesitated, even for the space of a breath, in my first steps in America.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no time to hesitate.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading There was no time to hesitate.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE PROMISED LAND Having made such good time across the ocean, I ought to be able to proceed no less rapidly on _terra firma_, where, after all, I am more at home.

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

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The most ignorant immigrant, on landing proceeds to give and receive greetings, to eat, sleep and rise, after the manner of his own country; wherein he is corrected, admonished, and laughed at, whether by interested friends or the most indifferent strangers; and his American experience is thus begun.

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet here is where I falter.