used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
Acton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading T. Acton Blair seemed a changed man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
annoyingadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No one could be more genial and considerate.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading T. Acton Blair seemed a changed man.
captiousadjective
tending to find and call attention to faults
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading T. Acton Blair seemed a changed man.
a person who is in charge
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
co-operate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
considerateadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərət/
showing concern for the rights and feelings of others
From this reading No one could be more genial and considerate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
enjoyableadjectiveUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
divisible by two
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
fadesnounUS /feɪdz/
plural of “fade” — a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
set up or found
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
frictionnounUS /ˈfrɪkʃən/
a state of conflict between persons
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading No one could be more genial and considerate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
heretoforeadverbUS /ˌhɪrtəˈfɔːr/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
the force of workers available
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
become covered with mist
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No one could be more genial and considerate.
used to form the superlative
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
not any; not one
From this reading With his chief even the most captious of men could have no fault to find, and Steele was far from being captious.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one could be more genial and considerate.
an amount of time
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading T. Acton Blair seemed a changed man.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
STEELEnounUS /stiːl/
English writer (1672-1729)
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
subordinatesnounUS /səˈbɔːrdəneɪts/
plural of “subordinate” — an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading T. Acton Blair seemed a changed man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading JOHN STEELE now entered upon a period of his life which was most interesting and enjoyable.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The numerous petty and annoying incidents which had heretofore been the cause of friction between himself and his numerous subordinates disappeared as the mist fades before the rising sun, and he found himself at the head of as willing and energetic a staff as any man could wish to have co-operate with him.
