used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
in addition
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
botanistnounUS /ˈbɑːtənɪst/
a biologist specializing in the study of plants
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
classifyingverbUS /ˈklæsəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “classify” — arrange or order by classes or categories
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
for more time
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
nationalitynounUS /ˌnæʃəˈnæləti/
people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
naturalistnounUS /ˈnætʃərələst/
an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
not any; not one
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
portfolionounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
precisely, exactly
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
strewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was evident that the old man was a botanist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A glance to the right, and the naturalist and his labours were no longer regarded.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His occupation was also characteristic of his nationality.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Before him were strewed over the table, and upon the floor, the objects of his study--plants and shrubs of various species.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was busy with these, classifying and carefully laying them out between the leaves of his portfolio.
