used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
a youthful male person
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
encasedadjectiveUS /enˈkeɪst/
covered or protected with or as if with a case
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
Grayson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
not accessible to view
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used to form the superlative
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
nurtureverbUS /ˈnɜːrtʃər/
help develop, help grow
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
on one occasion
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
outwardlyadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdli/
with respect to the outside
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
a human being
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
personalitynounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/
the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We do not know; we do not know the tragedy of our nearest friend._"--_David Grayson._ An atmosphere like this does not nurture the most outwardly genial qualities in a boy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
at the time that
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Billy was sixteen he had encased his real personality in a reserve which few people could penetrate.
which person or people
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
belonging to which person
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading I have wondered what might have been if some one--some understanding person had recognized his gift, or if he himself as a boy had once dared to cut free.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "_He was a boy whose emotions were hidden under mountains of reserve; who could have stood up to be shot more easily than he could have said: 'I love you.'
