used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE CLOUDS AFTER THE RAIN.
at or in the front
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the clouds returned after the rain.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading THE CLOUDS AFTER THE RAIN.
delicaciesnounUS /ˈdelɪkəsiz/
plural of “delicacy” — the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
disappointverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/
fail to meet the hopes or expectations of
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
divisible by two
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/
plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
a social unit living together
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
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 While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
and nothing more
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
Percivale's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
any competition
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE CLOUDS AFTER THE RAIN.
with speed
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But the clouds returned after the rain.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLOUDS AFTER THE RAIN.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
having passed out of existence
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
at the time that
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will be easily understood how the little money we had in hand should have rapidly vanished during Percivale's illness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Even up to the time when he had been taken ill, we had been doing little better than living from hand to mouth; for as often as we thought income was about to get a few yards ahead in the race with expense, something invariably happened to disappoint us.
but in spite of that
From this reading While he was making nothing, the expenses of the family went on as usual; and not that only, but many little delicacies had to be got for him, and the doctor was yet to pay.
