used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
a cherished desire
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
bunknounUS /bʌŋk/
a long trough for feeding cattle
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
CommentariesnounUS /ˈkɑːmənteriz/
plural of “commentary” — a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
Devlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
set up or found
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
a man of refinement
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
Kent'snounUS /kents/
possessive form of “kent” — a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
a form of address for a man
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
on one occasion
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
and nothing more
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
surpassedverbUS /sərˈpæst/
past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
theretoadverbUS /ˈðertuː/
to that
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading A passenger had but to move his lips or raise his eyes, and he was off like a shot to procure what was wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Notwithstanding this, he easily surpassed every one about him in the business we had in hand.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For it was his ambition, it appeared, to become a lawyer, and his present duties were only a means thereto.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For once a guest had been served, and opportunity afforded Mr. Devlin to get a look at him, he knew from that time on better than the man himself what dishes pleased him best.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading After I had finished the round of the boat, I went to join Mr. Devlin, and this young gentleman I found stretched in his bunk, reading Kent’s Commentaries, or something like that.
