used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
highly skilled
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
adeptadjectiveUS /əˈdept/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
(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 Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
ASTOUNDINGadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
brought into existence
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
a youthful male person
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
deep-seaadjective
of or taking place in the deeper parts of the sea
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
DISCOVERIESnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
an act that fails
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
Henderson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
engage in
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
never-ceasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
optimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
PaulingnounUS /ˈpɔːlɪŋ/
United States chemist who studied the nature of chemical bonding (1901-1994)
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
by chance
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
Rawlins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
under-sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, Rawlins had done fully as much to make the under-sea radio a success as had the boys.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But as a matter of fact they had encountered innumerable difficulties, had made numbers of mistakes, had been faced with failure or negative results time after time and would have given up in despair had it not been for the encouragement of Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson and the never-ceasing optimism of Rawlins.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading He had been diving since he was a mere boy, his father and grandfather had made deep-sea diving their profession, and he felt as much at home under water as on land.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ASTOUNDING DISCOVERIES Perhaps it may seem as if the boys had met with success too easily and had accomplished far more in a short time than would be possible.
but in spite of that
From this reading Although he did not or could not become an adept at radio and insisted that it was all Greek to him, yet he was a born inventor and a mechanical genius.
