used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
breedingnounUS /ˈbriːdɪŋ/
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
DICKEYnounUS /ˈdɪki/
a small third seat in the back of an old-fashioned two-seater
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
DOWNY'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
eldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/
plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
at any time
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
accept an excuse for
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
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 --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
social deportment
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
MEDITATIONnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
misjudgedverbUS /mɪsˈdʒʌdʒd/
past form of “misjudge” — judge incorrectly
From this reading She had surely misjudged them.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She had surely misjudged them.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ever since I left my shell I had been taught to respect my elders, and that it was a mark of ill manners and bad breeding for children to question the superior knowledge of those much older than themselves.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading --_Shakespeare._ That night I pondered long upon what my mother had told me.
at the time that
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Notwithstanding this, in my secret heart I could not help thinking that my mother was mistaken in her estimate of women when she called them wicked.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading DICKEY DOWNY'S MEDITATION It hath the excuse of youth.
