used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
abnormaladjectiveUS /æbˈnɔːrməl/
not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
in actual fact
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
matters of personal concern
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
alarminglyadverbUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋli/
in an alarming manner
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
(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 That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
Bigelow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
CoalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading But the most disturbing element was the lumber fight.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading But the most disturbing element was the lumber fight.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
fair-weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
featnounUS /fiːt/
a notable achievement
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading But the most disturbing element was the lumber fight.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
FreightersnounUS /ˈfreɪtərz/
plural of “freighter” — a cargo ship
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
gambledverbUS /ˈɡæmbəld/
past form of “gamble” — take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
guidingadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdɪŋ/
exerting control or influence
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
only a very short time before
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
HigginsonnounUS /ˈhɪɡɪnsən/
United States writer and soldier who led the first Black regiment in the Union Army (1823-1911)
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
hippodromenounUS /ˈhɪpədroʊm/
a stadium for horse shows or horse races
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
inertianounUS /ˌɪˈnɜːrʃə/
a disposition to remain inactive or inert
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading But the most disturbing element was the lumber fight.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
used to form the superlative
From this reading But the most disturbing element was the lumber fight.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
and nothing more
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
overratedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈreɪtɪd/
past form of “overrate” — make too high an estimate of
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
by chance
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
slumpedverbUS /slʌmpt/
past form of “slump” — assume a drooping posture or carriage
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As the feat of riding thirty horses around a circus hippodrome calls for the highest strength and skill, so the task of guiding the complicated affairs of Bigelow & Company through the difficulties that threatened them demanded sound character and experience.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading That Higginson & Company could not only hold out until the meeting, but could actually get the better of the Trust, had not been foreseen.
directed up
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
venturesnounUS /ˈventʃərz/
plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a time the Bigelow ventures had shown a persistent upward tendency, and the head of the firm had then made an imposing figure, but a fair-weather man was hardly adequate now.
in or at the place that
From this reading Kentucky Coal had slumped alarmingly; New Freighters had perhaps been overrated; and booming suburban real estate was discovering unexpected inertia where abnormal growth had been gambled on.
