1866
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
1868
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
from appearances alone
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
for the reason that
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
befellverbUS /bɪˈfel/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
a youthful male person
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
ELECTIONnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
GibsonnounUS /ˈɡɪbsən/
United States illustrator remembered for his creation of the “Gibson girl” (1867-1944)
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
Gibson'snounUS /ˈɡɪbsənz/
possessive form of “gibson” — United States illustrator remembered for his creation of the “Gibson girl” (1867-1944)
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
Gunn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
GunnerynounUS /ˈɡʌnəri/
guns collectively
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
not accessible to view
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
life-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
a form of address for a man
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
an amount of time
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
PolytechnicnounUS /ˌpɑːlɪˈteknɪk/
a technical school offering instruction in many industrial arts and applied sciences
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
spontaneouslyadverbUS /spɑːnˈteɪniəsli/
in a spontaneous manner
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
traitsnounUS /treɪts/
plural of “trait” — a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The latter of the two was the first to be decided.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
unfoldingnounUS /ənˈfoʊldɪŋ/
a developmental process
From this reading It was at this period of his life that the boy experienced one of those changes in disposition, which was like the awakening or the sudden unfolding of the real self, hitherto hidden under apparently opposite traits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was at the Gunnery, Gibson had troubled the soul of his teacher, as we have seen, because he had not, as Mr. Gunn put it, “learned to be spontaneously industrious.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
a late time of life
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
but in spite of that
From this reading But during the years immediately following, while he was yet at the Polytechnic, he “came to himself.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading CALLING AND ELECTION It was between the years 1866 and 1868 that the great crisis of young Gibson’s life occurred; and a series of influences and incidents befell, which were decisive in settling the great questions of his life-work and of the spirit in which he would undertake it.
