adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
alikeadverbUS /əˈlaɪk/
equally
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
AMONGprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading AMONG THE SIERRAS.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
BennounUS /ben/
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
dirt-begrimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
FriendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
HunternounUS /ˈhʌntər/
someone who hunts game
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
indicatingverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
inlandadjectiveUS /ˈɪnlænd/
situated away from an area's coast or border
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "You ought to know one of them, mayor," said Hunter.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
mayornounUS /ˈmeɪər/
the head of a city government
From this reading "You ought to know one of them, mayor," said Hunter.
mayorsnounUS /ˈmeɪərz/
plural of “mayor” — the head of a city government
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "You ought to know one of them, mayor," said Hunter.
pompous-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
SIERRASnounUS /siˈerəz/
plural of “sierra” — a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
From this reading AMONG THE SIERRAS.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AMONG THE SIERRAS.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "You ought to know one of them, mayor," said Hunter.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading He could hardly believe his eyes, therefore, when he saw before him a man of medium height, dressed in a ragged shirt and trousers, and wearing a hat once white, but now dirt-begrimed.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Ben had heard of mayors, and once he had seen one, a pompous-looking man who had once served in that capacity in an inland city of some twenty thousand inhabitants, and he supposed that all mayors were alike.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You ought to know one of them, mayor," said Hunter.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Friends of yours, judge?" said the newcomer, speaking to Hunter, and indicating by a nod Ben and his companion.
