used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
a quantity of money
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
Beman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
communicatingnounUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪŋ/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
the act of departing
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
Katharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
come together
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
absolutely essential
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
not any; not one
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
Ralston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
cut with a saw
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading John’s hour for going down town was fixed, but the time of his returning was not.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
unavoidablyadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbli/
by necessity
From this reading Before John Ralston had gone back to Beman Brothers’, it had been easy enough for him and Katharine to meet in the course of the day, but the difficulties had increased unavoidably of late.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course they saw each other in society, and as members of the same tribe they were often asked to the same parties, though that was by no means a matter of certainty.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was necessary to have a fixed understanding which should enable them to be sure of meeting and communicating with one another, and of knowing from day to day whether the next meeting were positively certain or not.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading That depended on the amount of work there chanced to be for him at the bank,--sometimes more, sometimes less.
