used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
antecedentsnounUS /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənts/
plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
appealsnounUS /əˈpiːlz/
plural of “appeal” — earnest or urgent request
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
apprenticenounUS /əˈprentəs/
works for an expert to learn a trade
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
authoritiesnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
confinementnounUS /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
permission to do something
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
carefully weighed
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
convictnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkt/
a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
DickienounUS /ˈdɪki/
a small third seat in the back of an old-fashioned two-seater
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
Dickie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
communicated in words
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
extractedverbUS /ekˈstræktɪd/
past form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
knife-grinder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
parochialadjectiveUS /pərˈoʊkiəl/
relating to or supported by or located in a parish
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
PoorhousenounUS /ˈpuːrhaʊs/
an establishment maintained at public expense in order to provide housing for the poor and homeless
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
quitverbUS /kwɪt/
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
reluctantadjectiveUS /rɪˈlʌktənt/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Before he had done so, Dickie, by a series of pathetic appeals, had extracted from him a consent to receiving him as an apprentice.
a male human offspring
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
in the near future
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then there were Dickie’s antecedents to be considered—he was the son of a convict, and might have the “bad blood” in him, as Jerry expressed it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The old knife-grinder therefore agreed to the proposal with reluctance, as we often do with what turns out a great blessing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Jerry was really not reluctant to having an assistant, whom he needed sorely at times, but he was afraid that the arrangement might get him into trouble with the parochial authorities, should he be followed and Dickie taken back.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jerry had been driven to the Poorhouse for a night’s shelter, and while there had been laid up for a day or two with a bad leg which troubled him at times, but as soon as he was able to move he hastened to quit the oppressive confinement.
