used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
how long something has existed
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
(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 He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
placed crosswise
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
cultivateverbUS /ˈkʌltəveɪt/
foster the growth of
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
Hilary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
niecesnounUS /ˈniːsɪz/
plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
not any; not one
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
on one occasion
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
PaulineadjectiveUS /pɔːˈliːn/
relating to Paul the Apostle or his doctrines
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
by chance
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
snap-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading For the first time, he had allowed himself to face the fact that it was some time now since he had crossed the summit of the hill, and that under present conditions, his old age promised to be a lonely, cheerless affair.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Pauline, in particular, struck him as likely to improve upon a nearer acquaintance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE END OF SUMMER It was Uncle Paul, and perhaps no one was more surprised at his unexpected coming, than he himself.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
a late time of life
From this reading That snap-shot of Hilary's had considerable to do with it; bringing home to him the sudden realization of the passing of the years.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He had never had much to do with young people; but, all at once, it seemed to him that it might prove worth his while to cultivate the closer acquaintance of these nieces of his.
