used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
any thing at all
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
ArabicnounUS /ˈærəbɪk/
the Semitic language of the Arabs; spoken in a variety of dialects
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
a youthful male person
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
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 An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
in a gradual manner
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
learnsverbUS /lɜːrnz/
third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
and nothing more
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
by chance
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
PersianounUS /ˈpɜːrʒə/
an empire in southern Asia created by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC and destroyed by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
PERSIANnounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
an educational institution
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
SCHOOLSnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
speltnoun
hardy wheat grown mostly in Europe for livestock feed
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An English boy learns to read his own language first, and does not always go on to a foreign language.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
topsy-turvyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːpsiˈtɜːrvi/
in utter disorder
From this reading PERSIAN SCHOOLS A great many things are topsy-turvy in Persia, but perhaps reading is as topsy-turvy as anything.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
at the time that
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
the words that are spoken
From this reading When a little Persian boy goes to school he is given a big Arabic book, with a great many long words in it, and he is not taught how the words are spelt, but is told what they are, and made to repeat them from memory, pointing to each word in the book as he says it, and gradually he gets some idea of which word is which.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading It is not only that the lines, and indeed the whole book, begin at the wrong end, but the lessons begin at the wrong end too.
