Chapter XII · The Blab Boy

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

(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 They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

an established custom

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

the early stage of growth or development

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

-ing form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

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 They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

hear with intention

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

held dear

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

on the contrary

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

express in speech

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

the profession of a teacher

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

propel through the air

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He had been in the habit of instructing his own children, who, from early infancy had been taught to listen and to learn.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

precisely as stated

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

which person or people

From this reading Meantime, Mr. Rowantree (who loved teaching) was having his experiences.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Very likely he may have ventured to throw in a little German or Italian now and then—he certainly could have done so if he wished.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Indeed, there was nothing they would rather do.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading They knew almost all of the great stories for children that have been written by the different peoples of the world, and they were so used to having their father speak partly in English, partly in Latin and partly in French, that they did not mind that at all.