used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
attorneynounUS /əˈtɜːrni/
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
breachverbUS /briːtʃ/
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
breechesnounUS /ˈbriːtʃɪz/
(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
of short duration or distance
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
an occurrence of something
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
clientnounUS /ˈklaɪənt/
a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
comfortlessadjective
without comfort
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
complaininglyadverb
with complaints
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
drest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
elfnounUS /elf/
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
FunknounUS /fʌŋk/
a state of nervous depression
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
obtain
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
habiliments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/
past form of “invest” — make an investment
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
ne'eradverbUS /ner/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
not any; not one
From this reading I've never a client but grief: The case is, I've no case at all, And in brief, I've ne'er had a brief!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
rustverbUS /rʌst/
become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
only a very short time before
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
shockinglyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːkɪŋli/
extremely
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
that is looked for
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
toilverbUS /tɔɪl/
work hard
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
Wagnalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading And thus as he wandered along, A cheerless and comfortless elf, He sought for relief in a song, Or complainingly talked to himself:-- "Unfortunate man that I am!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
in or at the place that
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
worstednounUS /ˈwɜːrstɪd/
a woolen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns "he wore a worsted suit"
From this reading His breeches had suffered a breach, His linen and worsted were worse; He had scarce a whole crown in his hat, And not half a crown in his purse.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Funk & Wagnalls Company New York and London An attorney was taking a turn, In shabby habiliments drest; His coat it was shockingly worn, And the rust had invested his vest.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "I've waited and waited in vain, Expecting an 'opening' to find, Where an honest young lawyer might gain Some reward for toil of his mind.
