used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
(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 I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
cotton-gin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
take in solid food
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
FnounUS /ef/
a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
of great significance or value
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
INVENTIONnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
inventionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃənz/
plural of “invention” — the creation of something in the mind
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
inventorsnounUS /ˌɪnˈventərz/
plural of “inventor” — someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
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 THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
MARVELSnounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/
plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
MorsenounUS /mɔːrs/
a telegraph code in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of dots and dashes (short and long signals)
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
used to form the superlative
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
not one, and not any
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
SamuelnounUS /ˈsæmjuːl/
(Old Testament) Hebrew prophet and judge who anointed Saul as king
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/
a boat propelled by a steam engine
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
a special situation
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
at the time that
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
belonging to which person
From this reading But this is a thing that has happened to many inventors; and one of these was Samuel F. B. Morse, to whose genius we owe the electric telegraph.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I think all my readers will agree with me in this.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE MARVELS OF INVENTION IT is not a pleasant thing to go hungry for twenty-four hours and to go many days without half enough to eat.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading You know about the invention of the steamboat, the locomotive, the cotton-gin and various other early inventions; but there have been many later inventions, and one of the most important of these is the telegraph, which tells us every day what is taking place over the whole world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I fancy none of you would like to find an empty table before you when the dinner bell rings.
