1757
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
appearsverbUS /əˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
appointedadjectiveUS /əˈpɔɪntɪd/
subject to appointment
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
befittingadjectiveUS /bɪˈfɪtɪŋ/
appropriate to
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
cadetsnounUS /kəˈdets/
plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
concludedadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːdəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/
an opposing military force
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
foughtverbUS /fɔːt/
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
governornounUS /ˈɡʌvərnər/
the head of a state government
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
GrandfathernounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/
the father of your father or mother
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
NOWadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/
having official authority or sanction
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
Pownall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
praiseworthyadjectiveUS /ˈpreɪzwɜːrði/
worthy of high praise
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
Shirley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The new governor appears to have taken no active part in the war that was going on; although, at one period, he talked of marching against the enemy at the head of his company of cadets.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
WarnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “In 1757,” said Grandfather, “after Shirley had been summoned to England, Thomas Pownall was appointed governor of Massachusetts.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading NOW THAT Grandfather had fought through the old French War, in which our chair made no very distinguished figure, he thought it high time to tell the children some of the more private history of that praiseworthy old piece of furniture.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But, on the whole, he probably concluded that it was more befitting a governor to remain quietly in our chair, reading the newspapers and official documents.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a gay and fashionable English gentleman, who had spent much of his life in London, but had a considerable acquaintance with America.
