used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
a youthful male person
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
cellsnounUS /selz/
plural of “cell” — any small compartment
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
corollarynounUS /ˈkɔːrəleri/
a practical consequence that follows naturally
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
crustnounUS /krʌst/
the outer layer of the Earth
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
dispossessedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪspəˈzest/
physically or spiritually homeless or deprived of security
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
set up or found
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
half-wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
not accessible to view
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
and nothing more
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
mugnounUS /mʌɡ/
the quantity that can be held in a mug
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
offencenoun
the action of attacking an enemy
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
pedantsnounUS /ˈpedənts/
plural of “pedant” — a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
regulationsnounUS /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “regulation” — an authoritative rule
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
rigorousadjectiveUS /ˈrɪɡərəs/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading And of course I was soon dispossessed of my knife; but learning caution I managed to keep my pistol safely hidden.
an educational institution
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
self-expressionnounUS /ˌselfɪkˈspreʃən/
the expression of one's individuality (usually through creative activities)
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
in the near future
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
StaggersnounUS /ˈstæɡərz/
a disease of the central nervous system affecting especially horses and cattle; characterized by an unsteady swaying gait and frequent falling
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
staleadjectiveUS /steɪl/
lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
express a supposition
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
uncompromisingadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
not making concessions
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
upbringingnounUS /ˈʌpbrɪŋɪŋ/
properties acquired during a person's formative years
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE WAY OF A FRIEND I soon found that life had changed for me.
in or at the place that
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was under an authority now, rigorous and uncompromising, which didn't seem to understand in the least the natural instincts for freedom and self-expression of a half-wild boy like me.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was Staggers who robbed me of my knife, for he remembered it from of old; and it was he too who brought me my stale crust and mug of water, three times a day while I was in the cells.
which person or people
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Already before the new term opened I had had two days' experience of the school cells, where I was shut up in solitude and darkness for some offence against the regulations, which I suppose was serious enough to the minds of the pedants who imprisoned me, but which to me seemed merely the natural corollary of my whole upbringing.
