used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
anew
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
any thing at all
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
befellverbUS /bɪˈfel/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading It befell in this way.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
a youthful male person
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
class-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
divulgedverbUS /dɪˈvʌldʒd/
past form of “divulge” — make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
divisible by two
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
the act of departing
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
a single distinct event
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It befell in this way.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
go away from a place
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
not able to be found
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
by chance
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
an educational institution
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
school-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
theftsnounUS /θefts/
plural of “theft” — the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading A series of thefts had been committed, thefts of school-books.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
up to a particular time
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It befell in this way.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I had never lost anything myself, and knew nothing of what was going on till the afternoon when the matter was divulged to the entire school.
at the time that
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Two months went by in this fashion, and I had begun to look forward to Christmas and to count the weeks that separated me from the holidays, when an incident occurred which was the means of my forming an acquaintance that was to develop into the most intimate friendship of my life.
window-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A boy would leave his books down on a window-sill, or even in a class-room, and when he came to get them again, one would perhaps be missing.
