used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
assemblagenounUS /əˈsemblədʒ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading I flatter myself that I have changed."
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
flatterverbUS /ˈflætər/
praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading I flatter myself that I have changed."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
musterverbUS /ˈmʌstər/
gather or bring together
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I flatter myself that I have changed."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
information about recent and important events
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I flatter myself that I have changed."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have recognized me.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading GOOD NEWS The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He looked quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth, and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
