1885
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
calculationsnounUS /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
clientsnounUS /ˈklaɪənts/
plural of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
compensateverbUS /ˈkɑːmpənseɪt/
adjust for
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
consumersnounUS /kənˈsuːmərz/
plural of “consumer” — a person who uses goods or services
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
continueverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuː/
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
contractsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrækts/
plural of “contract” — a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
customersnounUS /ˈkʌstəmərz/
plural of “customer” — someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
dealersnounUS /ˈdiːlərz/
plural of “dealer” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
deliverynounUS /dɪˈlɪvəri/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
dreamedadjectiveUS /driːmd/
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
legitimateadjectiveUS /ləˈdʒɪtəmət/
of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
over-done
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
profitableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːfətəbəl/
yielding material gain or profit
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/
inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
RETROGRESSIONnoun
passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
rulenounUS /ruːl/
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
speculativeadjectiveUS /ˈspekjələtɪv/
not financially safe or secure
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
spotnounUS /spɑːt/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
stocknounUS /stɑːk/
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading We did not in our calculations make allowance for the fact that these men were all in active business.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Our clients had done well and we expected they would continue their operations.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
tradenounUS /treɪd/
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
unprofitableadjectiveUS /ənˈprɑːfɪtəbəl/
producing little or no profit or gain
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
unsatisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsətɪˈsfæktəri/
not giving satisfaction
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading As a rule, such men do not go into outside matters when their own business is dull or unprofitable.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our legitimate trade, that carried on with dealers and consumers, we thought would be poor for some months, as it had been over-done, and all our customers were well supplied with spot stock, as also contracts for future delivery; but the speculative element we relied on to compensate us for this.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading RETROGRESSION Although the conditions of general business were unsatisfactory at the beginning of 1885 and I had much doubt of the year proving as profitable as the one previous, I never dreamed of such a falling off as actually occurred.
