used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
aptitudenounUS /ˈæptətuːd/
inherent ability
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
assiduitynoun
great and constant diligence and attention
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
Cosmo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
divisible by two
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
examinationsnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “examination” — the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading His health forbade excess.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
forbadeverbUS /fərˈbeɪd/
inflected form of “forbid” — command against
From this reading His health forbade excess.
forgettingverbUS /fərˈɡetɪŋ/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
gymnasticadjectiveUS /dʒɪmˈnæstɪk/
vigorously active
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading His health forbade excess.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
not any; not one
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
by chance
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
philologicaladjective
of or relating to or dealing with philology
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
established beyond doubt
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
survivedverbUS /sərˈvaɪvd/
past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The merchant was, indeed, astonished at the aptitude, or, perhaps, the inherited commercial talent, which had survived his son’s philological training, and was at times prepared to admit that the study of modern languages, even upon the side of pure literature, served (as he had often heard from its defenders) for a gymnastic to the growing mind.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the first few months after his success in the University examinations, Cosmo lived a life which should have proved a fitting introduction to the position his father had reserved for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading With the middle of October he entered the business in Thames Street, and displayed an assiduity delightful for Mr Burden to witness.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Meanwhile, the young man was far from forgetting the pleasures due to his rank; but he used them in such a way that the development of his character was in no way injured.
