used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
how long something has existed
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
(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 Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
armiesnounUS /ˈɑːrmiz/
plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
for the reason that
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
a youthful male person
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
BoyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
candynounUS /ˈkændi/
a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
a period of 100 years
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
confectionerynounUS /kənˈfekʃəneri/
candy and other sweets considered collectively
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
determinesverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmənz/
third-person singular of “determine” — establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
take in solid food
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
a boy or man
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
yet to be or coming
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
usually; as a rule
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
generalsnounUS /ˈdʒenərəlz/
plural of “general” — a general officer of the highest rank
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
ministrynounUS /ˈmɪnəstri/
religious ministers collectively (especially Presbyterian)
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
and nothing more
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
PiratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
like better; value more highly
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
presidentsnounUS /ˈprezədents/
plural of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
robbernounUS /ˈrɑːbər/
a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
caught or fixed
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
not known
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The life of a robber suited his youthful fancy, and he not only adopted it at a very early age, but he stuck to it until the end of his life.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
precisely as stated
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Edward Low, the boy under consideration, was a different sort of a fellow.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
WestminsternounUS /ˌwestˈmɪnstər/
a borough of Greater London on the Thames; contains Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
in or at the place that
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
which person or people
From this reading A Pirate from Boyhood About the beginning of the eighteenth century there lived in Westminster, England, a boy who very early in life made a choice of a future career.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nearly all boys have ideas upon this subject, and while some think they would like to be presidents or generals of armies, others fancy that they would prefer to be explorers of unknown countries or to keep candy shops.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading But it generally happens that these youthful ideas are never carried out, and that the boy who would wish to sell candy because he likes to eat it, becomes a farmer on the western prairie, where confectionery is never seen, and the would-be general determines to study for the ministry.
