used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
next to; at the side of
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
BURNETTnounUS /bərˈnet/
United States writer (born in England) remembered for her novels for children (1849-1924)
From this reading PERCY BURNETT UNMASKS.
Burnett'snounUS /bərˈnets/
possessive form of “burnett” — United States writer (born in England) remembered for her novels for children (1849-1924)
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
travel across or pass over
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
deignverbUS /deɪn/
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
doubtingadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/
marked by or given to doubt
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
PERCYnounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading PERCY BURNETT UNMASKS.
ploddedverbUS /ˈplɑːdɪd/
inflected form of “plod” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Mr. Burnett may be annoyed about something, and that may be the reason of his being so cross,” Tom reflected.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As matters stood he thought it best to remain for the present in his service.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
male cat
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
UNMASKS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PERCY BURNETT UNMASKS.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
which person or people
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
wiselyadverbUS /ˈwaɪzli/
in a wise manner
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading As Tom plodded along beside his employer, who did not deign to utter a word, he could not help doubting whether he had done wisely in selling his independence for twelve dollars a week.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had he understood Burnett’s real character and disposition, he would not have engaged with him.
