used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I BECOME A BENEFICIARY.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
aptnessnoun
a disposition to behave in a certain way
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
banjonounUS /ˈbændʒoʊ/
a stringed instrument of the guitar family that has long neck and circular body
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I BECOME A BENEFICIARY.
BENEFICIARYnounUS /ˌbenəˈfɪʃieri/
the recipient of funds or other benefits
From this reading I BECOME A BENEFICIARY.
bloodsnounUS /blʌdz/
plural of “blood” — the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped through the body by the heart and contains plasma, blood cells, and platelets
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
carefully weighed
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
coppersnounUS /ˈkɑːpərz/
plural of “copper” — a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
at any time
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/
especially of writing or speech; going before
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
only a very short time before
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I BECOME A BENEFICIARY.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
localitiesnounUS /loʊˈkælɪtiz/
plural of “locality” — a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
absolutely essential
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
not any; not one
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
playernounUS /ˈpleɪər/
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
prodigynounUS /ˈprɑːdədʒi/
an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
unusual or striking
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
cut with a saw
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
shuffleverbUS /ˈʃʌfəl/
walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
in the near future
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
not in physical motion
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It may as well be owned that I had no natural aptness for the banjo, and was always an indifferent player; but for dancing I had, I am confident, such a remarkable gift as few have ever had.
wholesaleadverbUS /ˈhoʊlseɪl/
at a wholesale price
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Up to this day, I do not think I ever have seen a step done by man or woman that I could not do as soon as I saw it,--not saying, of course, how gracefully.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading I am not, however, so vain or proud of this gift as I used to be, and should hardly have written the foregoing sentence at all, had it not seemed necessary to a proper understanding of subsequent passages in this narrative.
but in spite of that
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading I was still so small of stature, and yet capable of producing so much noise with the coppers on my heels, that, by the wholesale clerks and young bloods about town, I was considered in the light of a prodigy, and made to shuffle my feet at almost all hours and in almost all localities.
