Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

later than; following

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

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

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

contrived by art rather than nature

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Dickens' schoolmasters seem to have been partial to the flute.

exhale hard

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

eat an early morning meal

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

a word used in exclamations of confusion

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

causing dejection

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

at any time

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

someone who plays the flute

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

activities that are enjoyable or amusing

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

the act of departing

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

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

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

free from evil or guilt

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

used to form the superlative

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

a form of address for a man

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

to a great degree or extent

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

being or affecting only a part; not total

From this reading Dickens' schoolmasters seem to have been partial to the flute.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

on the contrary

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

plural of “reference” — a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

a result

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading Dickens' schoolmasters seem to have been partial to the flute.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Dickens' schoolmasters seem to have been partial to the flute.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

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

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

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

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

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

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Mr. Squeers, it is true, was not a flautist, but Mr. Feeder, B.A., was, or rather he was going to be.

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

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

From this reading After he had finished he unscrewed his flute into three pieces, and deposited them underneath the skirts of his coat.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

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

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS FLUTE, ORGAN, GUITAR (AND SOME HUMMERS) _Flute_ We find several references to the flute, and Dickens contrives to get much innocent fun out of it.

during the time that

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

which person or people

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'

in the company of; together with

From this reading First comes Mr. Mell, who used to carry his instrument about with him and who, in response to his mother's invitation to 'have a blow at it' while David Copperfield was having his breakfast, made, said David, 'the most dismal sounds I have ever heard produced by any means, natural or artificial.'