used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
Aleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The future had the best of it, though, and he was jubilant over the prospect that it gave.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
creditablyadverbUS /ˈkredətəbli/
to a tolerably worthy extent
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
Examination-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
moving swiftly
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
yet to be or coming
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The future had the best of it, though, and he was jubilant over the prospect that it gave.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
Hal'snounUS /hælz/
possessive form of “hals” — Dutch portrait and genre painter who endowed his portraits with vitality and humor (1580?-1666)
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading The future had the best of it, though, and he was jubilant over the prospect that it gave.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
not any; not one
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
on one occasion
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
professor'snounUS /prəˈfesərz/
possessive form of “professor” — someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
the possibility of future success
From this reading The future had the best of it, though, and he was jubilant over the prospect that it gave.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
scholarsnounUS /ˈskɑːlərz/
plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
an educational institution
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
shallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
slipsnounUS /slɪps/
plural of “slip” — a socially awkward or tactless act
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
teachersnounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/
plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Examination-day passed off as it always did at the professor’s school, creditably, if not brilliantly, for teachers and scholars.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The future had the best of it, though, and he was jubilant over the prospect that it gave.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
male cat
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
precisely as stated
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
look attentively
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading There was enough for the boys to talk over for at least the first week of holidays, and Carter lost very little time in getting hold of Aleck for a talk about past, present, and future.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Aleck was decidedly the star, but Carter and Davis both did well; and in the lower classes Hal and Tom came off with a very respectable score and some flying colors.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Tom had kept out of Hal’s way as he would have avoided rocks and shallows if he had been putting to sea; and Hal was for once so entirely engrossed in keeping his own lookout, that he had no leisure to watch for slips in his neighbors, or to enjoy them if they happened to occur.
