used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
abilitiesnounUS /əˈbɪlətiːz/
plural of “ability” — the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
advancementnounUS /ədˈvænsmənt/
encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
CHALLONER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
ChilenounUS /ˈtʃɪli/
a republic in southern South America on the western slopes of the Andes on the south Pacific coast
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
colossaladjectiveUS /kəˈlɑːsəl/
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
concentrateverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt/
make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
EARTHQUAKEnounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
immediately past
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
nitratesnounUS /ˈnaɪtreɪts/
plural of “nitrate” — any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
not one, and not any
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
portmanteaunounUS /ˈpɔːrtmɑːntoʊ/
a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
with speed
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
ramificationsnounUS /ˌræməfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “ramification” — the act of branching out or dividing into branches
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
Royle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
twenty-eighthadjective
coming next after the twenty-seventh in position
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
ValparaisonounUS /ˌvælpərˈeɪsoʊ/
the chief port and second largest city of Chile; located on a wide harbor in central Chile
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading But advancement was a principle of the house, and in the vast ramifications of its business, opportunities of advancement came quickly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was his twenty-eighth birthday and up to two o'clock in the afternoon he was, as for the last six weeks he had been, a clerk in the great house of R. C. Royle & Sons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading OF AN EARTHQUAKE AND JAMES CHALLONER The experiences of James Challoner on that day of ruin at Valparaiso were various, but none of them were pleasant.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was, to be sure, upon the latter class of work that James Challoner was asked to concentrate his abilities.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There was no sort of business in Chile which R. C. Royle & Sons were not prepared to undertake and carry through with efficiency, from a colossal deal in nitrates to the homeward freight of your portmanteau.
