Chapter I

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

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

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

brought into existence

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

a young person of either sex

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

a musician who plays the trumpet or cornet

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

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

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

usually; as a rule

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

death of a person

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

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

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

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

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

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

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

angered at something unjust or wrong

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

having intervening factors or persons or influences

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

a lack of gratitude

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

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

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

joined in matrimony

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

plural of “source” — the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

in a special manner

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

not in physical motion

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

a special situation

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

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

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

not made or become different

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

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

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

at the time that

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

which person or people

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had a brother in America from whom he had never heard; still, through indirect sources he knew him to be well off, married, and the father of two fine children.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He could not forget that this elder brother had been the support of his childhood, the defence of his weakness against the other boys, and that he had always spoken to him with kindness.

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

From this reading To the day of his death the old musician, indignant at his son's ingratitude, would not allow his name to be mentioned in his presence; but the blind boy's affection for his brother remained unchanged.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading A detailed CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM French and Spanish Writers He was born blind, and had been taught the one thing which the blind generally learn,--music; for this art he was specially gifted.

a late time of life

From this reading His mother died when he was little more than a child, and his father, who was the first cornetist of a military band, followed her to the grave a few years later.