used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
ArkansasnounUS /ˈɑːrkənsɑː/
a state in south central United States; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
bespokeadjectiveUS /bʊˈspoʊk/
(of clothing) custom-made
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
CarrollnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
someone who is a detective
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
down-river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
Ernest's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
the organ of sight
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
HoustonnounUS /ˈhjuːstən/
the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
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 The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
MississippinounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/
a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
by chance
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
express in words
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
in the near future
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
not in physical motion
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
carry out
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
TexannounUS /ˈteksən/
a native or resident of Texas
From this reading The tall Texan, Dick Carroll, soon left for the down-river and the Mississippi.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
precisely as stated
From this reading He almost always greeted Ernest very kindly, and Ernest could not help but like him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether he had persuaded General Houston to help Texas, nobody knew; but at any rate, he promised to keep an eye out for Ernest’s uncle, in case that the sergeant had returned to the Arkansas as far as Fort Smith, say.
which person or people
From this reading It was a sad step downward for any man to take; and for a man who had been as great as Sam Houston――――!
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, sober or drunk, he still had about him a dignity that bespoke his better days in the past, and perhaps promised better days to come.
