used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
complaintnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
discontentedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪd/
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
a social unit living together
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
your parents
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading The widow's children had to work little harder than their neighbors.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
immenselyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmensli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
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 Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The widow's children had to work little harder than their neighbors.
loopholenounUS /ˈluːphoʊl/
an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading The widow's children had to work little harder than their neighbors.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
not any; not one
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
many times at short intervals
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
and nothing more
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
possessing material wealth
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
stump-burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The widow's children had to work little harder than their neighbors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Not often did the Harding children enjoy such a day as that of the stump-burning.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
precisely as stated
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were no very poor people then, and there were no immensely rich.
widow'snounUS /ˈwɪdoʊz/
possessive form of “widow” — a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading The widow's children had to work little harder than their neighbors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is only by comparison that human beings become discontented with their lot.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Life was very real indeed to pioneer folks, although the fact that every family in the community had to work hard left no loophole for complaint on any side.
