used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
achievementnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
ALEC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
Alec's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
(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 For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
centnounUS /sent/
a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
constructingverbUS /kənˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
a social unit living together
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
not in action or at work
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
installedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɔːld/
inflected form of “instal” — set up for use
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
manipulateverbUS /məˈnɪpjəleɪt/
influence or control shrewdly or deviously
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
NeedingverbUS /ˈniːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “need” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
on one occasion
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
and nothing more
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
oysternounUS /ˈɔɪstər/
marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
oyster-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
oystering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
select carefully from a group
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
with little or no delay
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
Rumford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
except for; apart from
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
shipper'snounUS /ˈʃɪpərz/
possessive form of “shipper” — someone who ships goods
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
telephonesnounUS /ˈteləfoʊnz/
plural of “telephone” — electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But it was a long, long time before Alec's own set was completed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The oyster shipper's instruments arrived promptly enough, and Alec installed them and taught Captain Rumford and his family how to manipulate them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Needing to save every cent possible, Alec bought only such materials as he could not pick up free, and set about constructing his instruments; but it was a slow job.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading ALEC GETS A NEW JOB Like many another wish, that for the two sets of wireless telephones was unexpectedly slow of achievement.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For now he was once more back on the oyster-boat; and his plan to learn all there was to learn about oystering, and to spend every minute of his waking hours at work, was more than an idle boast.
