used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
bein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
boroughnounUS /ˈbɜːroʊ/
one of the administrative divisions of a large city
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
a boy or man
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
DobsonnounUS /ˈdɑːbsən/
large brown aquatic larva of the dobsonfly; used as fishing bait
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
apart from; not including
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
a boy or man
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
gayan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
leeve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
loyaltynounUS /ˈlɔɪəlti/
the quality of being loyal
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
magistratesnounUS /ˈmædʒɪstreɪts/
plural of “magistrate” — a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
not any; not one
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SOUTERS OF SELKIRK.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
Identical; not different.
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
SELKIRKnounUS /ˈselkərk/
Scottish sailor who was put ashore on a deserted island off the coast of Chile for five years (providing the basis for Daniel Defoe's novel about Robinson Crusoe) (1676-1721)
From this reading THE SOUTERS OF SELKIRK.
shoemakernounUS /ˈʃuːmeɪkər/
a person who makes or repairs shoes
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
SOUTERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SOUTERS OF SELKIRK.
stepmothernounUS /ˈstepmʌðər/
the wife of your father by a subsequent marriage
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SOUTERS OF SELKIRK.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
town-council
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
unmarriedadjectiveUS /ənˈmerid/
not married or related to the unmarried state
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
valournoun
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
weel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was upwards of thirty, unmarried, had an industrious old stepmother, who kept house for him, and of course George was what is called "a bein bachelor," or "a chap that was gayan weel to leeve."
at the time that
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
which person or people
From this reading He was a shoemaker, a very honest man, who lived at the foot of an old street, called the Back Row, in the town of Selkirk.
belonging to which person
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a cheerful happy fellow, and quite sober, except when on the town-council, when he sometimes took a glass with the magistrates of his native old borough, of whose loyalty, valour, and antiquity, there was no man more proud.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading I have heard an amusing story of a young man whose name happened to be the same as that of the hero of the preceding chapter--George Dobson.
