used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
bee-hive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
bustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/
the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
clothing in general
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
commercenounUS /ˈkɑːmərs/
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
counting-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
creditableadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəbəl/
worthy of often limited commendation
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
dry-goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
extensivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈstensɪvli/
in a widespread way
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
fabricsnounUS /ˈfæbrɪks/
plural of “fabric” — artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
set up or found
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
importedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtɪd/
used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
installedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɔːld/
inflected form of “instal” — set up for use
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
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 There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
office-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
possessing material wealth
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
richeradjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃər/
comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
salesmennounUS /ˈseɪlzmɪn/
plural of “salesman” — a man salesperson
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
shawlsnounUS /ʃɔːlz/
plural of “shawl” — cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
up to a particular time
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
being of use or service
From this reading His employer had found him a more creditable suit of clothes, and given him some useful instruction as to personal cleanliness, politeness, etc.
utilitynounUS /juːˈtɪləti/
a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
precisely as stated
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He dealt extensively in the richer qualities of goods, and cases of costly silks, rich shawls, and other expensive fabrics were constantly imported by him.
wholesaleadverbUS /ˈhoʊlseɪl/
at a wholesale price
From this reading Mr. Leonard was the proprietor of a large wholesale dry-goods house, on Market street.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were a dozen or more salesmen, porters, etc., employed about the store, besides the numerous clerks in the counting-house, and in the business hours of the day the long, wide store bustled with activity till it seemed a very bee-hive of commerce.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A few days after his interview with Mr. Leonard found our young hero duly installed as office-boy and general utility in the store.
