used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
coursesnounUS /ˈkɔːrsəz/
plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
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 The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
a boy or man
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
set up or found
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
groovenounUS /ɡruːv/
a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
IranounUS /ˈaɪrə/
a militant organization of Irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive British forces from Northern Ireland and achieve a united independent Ireland
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
Ira'snounUS /ˈaɪrəz/
possessive form of “ira” — a militant organization of Irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive British forces from Northern Ireland and achieve a united independent Ireland
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
ParkinsonnounUS /ˈpɑːrkɪnsən/
English surgeon (1755-1824)
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
an educational institution
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
ULTIMATUMnounUS /ˌʌltəˈmeɪtəm/
a final peremptory demand
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
precisely as stated
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life at Parkinson settled down into the groove that it was to follow for the next nine months and Ira found that his studies looked far less formidable on close acquaintance than they had at first.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The courses he had feared most, Greek and French, were proving easier than English, which he had not troubled about.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ira had declared that he was not a brilliant fellow at studying, and he wasn't, but he had the gift of application and an excellent memory, which, combined, are half the battle.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading AN ULTIMATUM Several days passed without incidents worth recording here.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading But third year English at Parkinson was a stiff course and Ira's grammar school preparation had not been very thorough.
