used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
a youthful male person
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
coachingnounUS /ˈkoʊtʃɪŋ/
the job of a professional coach
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
derogatoryadjectiveUS /dərˈɑːɡətɔːri/
expressive of low opinion
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
emulationnounUS /ˌemjəˈleɪʃən/
ambition to equal or excel
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
firesidenounUS /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/
an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
GlasgownounUS /ˈɡlæskoʊ/
largest city in Scotland; a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading IN THE GOOD OLD "GURNET."
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading His grandmother had seen to that.
GURNET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE GOOD OLD "GURNET."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His grandmother had seen to that.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE GOOD OLD "GURNET."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
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 Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
MackenzienounUS /məˈkenzi/
Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
not any; not one
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading IN THE GOOD OLD "GURNET."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
cut with a saw
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading His grandmother had seen to that.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His grandmother had seen to that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE GOOD OLD "GURNET."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
theoreticaladjectiveUS /ˌθiːərˈetɪkəl/
concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before Jack Mackenzie came to sea, he had received, as far as any boy could, a thoroughly theoretical education.
tutorverbUS /ˈtuːtər/
be a tutor to someone; give individual instruction
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
tutorsnounUS /ˈtuːtərz/
plural of “tutor” — a person who gives private instruction (as in singing, acting, etc.)
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
precisely as stated
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
(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 So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
at the time that
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
which person or people
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Much she would have liked to have the boy constantly with her, but she knew that this would not be to his advantage; for when the very best has been said about the system of what I may call fireside education under a tutor, it must be confessed that there is no emulation about it.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading So Jack had been sent to one of the best schools in Glasgow, and had private tutors as well, one of them being an old naval commander, who saw nothing derogatory in coaching a few young fellows who were to serve afloat.
