used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
(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 He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
the two together, not just one
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
a youthful male person
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
Forbes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
set up or found
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
Glamerton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For he never took young birds, and seldom more than half of the eggs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
the quality of being humane
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
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 He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
Malison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For he never took young birds, and seldom more than half of the eggs.
not any; not one
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
quickeradverbUS /ˈkwɪkər/
more quickly
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
receptivitynounUS /ˈriːsepˈtɪvɪti/
willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
not often
From this reading For he never took young birds, and seldom more than half of the eggs.
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He knew all the birds, all their habits, and all their eggs.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading For he never took young birds, and seldom more than half of the eggs.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
precisely as stated
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His own eyes could teach him more than books could, for he had a very quick observation of things about him, both in what is commonly called nature and in humanity.
at the time that
From this reading Not a boy in Glamerton could find a nest quicker than he, or when found treated it with such respect.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Although Alec Forbes was not a boy of quick receptivity as far as books were concerned, and therefore was no favourite with Mr Malison, he was not by any means a common or a stupid boy.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For he never took young birds, and seldom more than half of the eggs.
