Chapter XXII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and the father of Isaac; according to Genesis, God promised to give Abraham's family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan (the Promised Land); God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

later than; following

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

(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 The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

plural of “discussion” — an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

(of time) having passed or slipped by

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

every person

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

engage in

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

-ing form of “memorize” — commit to memory; learn by heart

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

not any; not one

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the village.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

at the time that

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading TOWN TOPICS Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a business man.