used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
anew
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
(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 Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
banishedverbUS /ˈbænɪʃt/
past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
a youthful male person
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
Boyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
Fifty-threeadjective
being three more than fifty
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
foggyadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːɡi/
stunned or confused and slow to react (as from blows or drunkenness or exhaustion)
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
fulfilverbUS /fʊlˈfɪl/
put in effect
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
huggedverbUS /hʌɡd/
inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
IllustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
not any; not one
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
and nothing more
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
parentaladjectiveUS /pərˈentəl/
designating the generation of organisms from which hybrid offspring are produced
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
projectverbUS /ˈprɑːdʒekt/
communicate vividly
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
except for; apart from
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
only a very short time before
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
an educational institution
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
separationnounUS /ˌsepərˈeɪʃən/
the state of lacking unity
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
shock-headedadjective
having a shock (or untidy mass) of hair
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
snub-nosedadjective
having a blunt nose
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
tardilyadverb
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
urchinnounUS /ˈɜːrtʃən/
poor and often mischievous city child
From this reading The Boy is an ordinary snub-nosed, shock-headed urchin of thirteen, with no special claim to distinction save the negative one of being an only child.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
VersaillesnounUS /verˈsaɪ/
a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century
From this reading For the Boy was at school at Versailles, banished there by our desire to fulfil a parental duty.
precisely as stated
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Across the breakfast-table we kept saying to each other, "It seems scarcely possible that the Boy is really coming home to-night," but all the while we hugged the assurance that it was.
wintering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With Fifty-three Illustrations by A.S. Boyd No project could have been less foreseen than was ours of wintering in France, though it must be confessed that for several months our thoughts had constantly strayed across the Channel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The time of separation had dragged tardily past, until one foggy December morning we awoke to the glad consciousness that that very evening the Boy would be with us again.
