used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
alliancenounUS /əˈlaɪəns/
the state of being allied or confederated
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
for the reason that
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
put or send forth
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
carefully weighed
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
deficience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
despatchverb
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
diffidencenoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
any strong feeling
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
gainsnounUS /ɡeɪnz/
plural of “gain” — a quantity that is added
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
lotterynounUS /ˈlɑːtəri/
something that is regarded as a chance event
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
meditationsnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
MiscarriagenounUS /mɪˈskerədʒ/
failure of a plan
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
mistookverbUS /mɪˈstʊk/
inflected form of “mistake” — identify incorrectly
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
as might be expected
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
producesnounUS /prəˈduːsəz/
plural of “produce” — fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
receiptsnounUS /rɪˈsiːts/
the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
regulateverbUS /ˈreɡjəleɪt/
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
From this reading I mistook the price of my goods, committed blunders in my bills, forgot to file my receipts, and neglected to regulate my books.
only a very short time before
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
try to get or reach
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
do one's shopping
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Miscarriage naturally produces diffidence; I began now to seek assistance against ill luck, by an alliance with those that had been more successful.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/
plural of “ticket” — a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I had now wholly changed the cast of my behaviour and the conduct of my life.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The shop was for the most part abandoned to my servants, and if I entered it, my thoughts were so engrossed by my tickets, that I scarcely heard or answered a question, but considered every customer as an intruder upon my meditations, whom I was in haste to despatch.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My acquaintances by degrees began to fall away; but I perceived the decline of my business with little emotion, because whatever deficience there might be in my gains, I expected the next lottery to supply.
