used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FINAL TRIUMPH.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
BuffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
clothing in general
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
conscientiouslyadverbUS /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/
with extreme conscientiousness
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
carefully weighed
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
without stop or interruption
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
DetroitnounUS /dɪˈtrɔɪt/
the largest city in Michigan and a major Great Lakes port; center of the United States automobile industry; located in southeastern Michigan on the Detroit river across from Windsor
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
disconsolateadjective
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
FINALadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading A FINAL TRIUMPH.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
greasyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːsi/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
jig-dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
juvenileadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːvənəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
negro-minstrelsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
prodigynounUS /ˈprɑːdədʒi/
an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
To recall to mind.
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading A FINAL TRIUMPH.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This latter city, indeed, I came to look upon as a peculiarly unlucky place for me,--an opinion which I continued to entertain up to the time of a signal triumph I had there afterward as the juvenile prodigy of jig-dancing and negro-minstrelsy.
urchinnounUS /ˈɜːrtʃən/
poor and often mischievous city child
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
precisely as stated
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although I had conscientiously washed my solitary piece of linen every week, and tried to keep myself as neatly as I could, my clothes were greasy and ragged and my boots nearly off my feet.
wharves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
which person or people
From this reading Arrived safely at Buffalo, I did not look much like the urchin who had left there several months before.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I wandered about the wharves without any purpose that I can now remember, and might have been very disconsolate if it were not for the joy I felt at escaping from the danger which I considered so imminent at Detroit.
