a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
arithmetics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
uttered without voice
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
geographies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
heartbeatsnounUS /ˈhɑːrtbiːts/
plural of “heartbeat” — the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
illusionnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒən/
an erroneous mental representation
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
go away from a place
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
not any; not one
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
and nothing more
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
rotenounUS /roʊt/
memorization by repetition
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
spontaneousadjectiveUS /spɑːnˈteɪniəs/
happening or arising without apparent external cause
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
not in physical motion
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
teachersnounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/
plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And still, can I be sure of this?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
unkindadjectiveUS /ənˈkaɪnd/
lacking kindness
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We seem to have breathed an enchanted air, and to see nothing as it really was.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As I look back upon my childhood, it seems as if the world were an illusion and as if everything were magic that passed before my eyes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading True, we children learned our lessons in our arithmetics and geographies and readers, but we only learned by rote and said them from our lips; they had no application to our lives,—they were only tasks which we must get through before our foolish parents and unkind teachers would leave us free to live.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Are the heartbeats of the young less natural and spontaneous than those of later life?
