used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
(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 Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
citizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
clothing in general
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
move gently or carefully
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
Ericson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
grubbyadjectiveUS /ˈɡrʌbi/
infested with grubs
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
ten 10s
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
the act of departing
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
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 There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
maturedadjectiveUS /məˈtjʊrd/
fully ripe; at the height of bloom
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
come together
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
obviatedverbUS /ˈɑːbvieɪtəd/
past form of “obviate” — do away with
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
PlatonounUS /ˈpleɪtoʊ/
ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle (428-347 BC)
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
purposelessadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrpəsləs/
not evidencing any purpose or goal
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
recollectionsnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃənz/
plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading He had missed the opportunity of becoming a respectable citizen which Plato offered.
move upward
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Now he did all the grubby things which Plato obviated that her sons might rise to a place in society, to eighteen hundred dollars a year and the possession of evening clothes and a knowledge of Greek.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
migratory
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
wanderingsnounUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋz/
plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There are to-day in the mind of Carl Ericson many confused recollections of the purposeless wanderings which followed his leaving Plato College.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading For more than a year he went down, down in the social scale, down to dirt and poverty and association with the utterly tough and reckless.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But day by day his young joy of wandering matured into an ease in dealing with whatever man or situation he might meet.
