used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
boyishadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
a young person of either sex
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
cravingnounUS /ˈkreɪvɪŋ/
an intense desire for some particular thing
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
being one more than seven
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
one or the other of two
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
divisible by two
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
opinion or judgment
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
obtain
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
heartaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
with speed
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
Identical; not different.
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
an educational institution
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
a person, without saying who
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
not in physical motion
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
confined on all sides
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
carry out
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys.
twinkleverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəl/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading To be sure, there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep, brown eyes, and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle; but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In his heart John was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To be sure, his father was still kind, and sometimes John would imagine that he could even feel his father's love.
a late time of life
From this reading Early School Days By the time John was eight years old, the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him.
