used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
how long something has existed
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
for the reason that
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
lacking funds
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
dissuadedverbUS /dɪˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “dissuade” — turn away from by persuasion
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
effectualadjective
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
divisible by two
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
usually; as a rule
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
an established custom
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
and nothing more
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
not any; not one
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
in other respects or ways
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
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 When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
paupernounUS /ˈpɔːpər/
a person who is very poor
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
a human being
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
pledgesnounUS /ˈpledʒɪz/
plural of “pledge” — a deposit of personal property as security for a debt
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
carry out
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It seemed such a pity; but there was no help for it.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
at the time that
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
which person or people
From this reading When she could have acquired them she was dissuaded by her parents, who were ignorant people though reared in the best society, and it was too late to begin now.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why, even one or two little bad habits could have saved her, but she was just a moral pauper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading These things ought to be attended to while a person is young; otherwise, when age and disease come, there is nothing effectual to fight them with.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading When I was a youth I used to take all kinds of pledges, and do my best to keep them, but I never could, because I didn't strike at the root of the habit--the desire; I generally broke down within the month.
