used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was, in fact, an inefficient officer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
for the reason that
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
divisible by two
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He was, in fact, an inefficient officer.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
GoddardnounUS /ˈɡɑːdərd/
United States physicist who developed the first successful liquid-fueled rocket (1882-1945)
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
inefficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/
not producing desired results; wasteful
From this reading He was, in fact, an inefficient officer.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
the sound of laughing
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/
lowest in rank or importance
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He was, in fact, an inefficient officer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
operasnounUS /ˈɑːprəz/
plural of “opera” — a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
move upward
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
rungnounUS /rʌŋ/
a crosspiece between the legs of a chair
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
superiorsnounUS /suːˈpɪriərz/
plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was recognized by his superiors, it was even feared by the man himself, that he was never likely to rise very high in the service.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had a natural sense of humour, which was a great misfortune, because it led him to see situations like those of comic operas in the course of the duties which he was called upon to perform.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading He was wise enough not to laugh loudly at the things which happened; but the fact that a great deal of what he had to do struck him as ludicrous prevented his doing his duty heartily and thoroughly.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mr. Goddard, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man and stood on the lowest rung of his professional ladder.
