used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A leader cannot sit astraddle.”
administrativeadjectiveUS /ədˈmɪnəstreɪtɪv/
of or relating to or responsible for administration
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
astraddleadverbUS /əˈstrædəl/
with one leg on each side
From this reading A leader cannot sit astraddle.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
bequeathedverbUS /bəˈkwiːθt/
past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A leader cannot sit astraddle.”
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
characteristicallyadverbUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪkli/
in characteristic manner
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
one or the other of two
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
elationnounUS /ɪˈleɪʃən/
an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/
a person responsible for the administration of a business
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
set up or found
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
fundamentaladjectiveUS /ˌfʌndəˈmentəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
generalshipnounUS /ˈdʒenərəlʃɪp/
the leadership ability of a military general
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
in a gradual manner
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
knuckledverbUS /ˈnʌkəld/
past form of “knuckle” — press or rub with the knuckles
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading A leader cannot sit astraddle.”
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 Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
LowellnounUS /ˈloʊəl/
United States poet (1917-1977)
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/
United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
self-satisfactionnoun
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
be seated
From this reading A leader cannot sit astraddle.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
in the near future
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Morton had not believed him, at first, but it was not long before he found, to his sorrow, that the judge was right; and then he knuckled down to the system.
a special situation
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
underlyingadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/
in the nature of something though not readily apparent
From this reading When he began gradually to master the fundamental principles of generalship underlying the direction of so gigantic an enterprise, he experienced a curious sense of elation and self-satisfaction.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
at the time that
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Very soon after he had entered on his administrative duties in connection with the business his father had bequeathed him, John Morton had found that one thing was certain--he must give his whole heart and mind to the work, or things would go wrong.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Judge Lowell had put it to him characteristically when he said: “You must either attend strictly to the executive work, or pay some one else to do it for you.
