used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
acquirements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
in addition
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
bequeathedverbUS /bəˈkwiːθt/
past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
Betsy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
a young person of either sex
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
Ilminster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
kinsmannounUS /ˈkɪnzmæn/
a male relative
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
a room where books are kept
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
not any; not one
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
revelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
rudimentsnounUS /ˈruːdɪmənts/
a statement of fundamental facts or principles
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
express in words
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
move stealthily
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They passed in a fashion that to me was pleasant and easy enough.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
at the time that
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
which person or people
From this reading My father had a small library of books which had been bequeathed to him by a distant kinsman, who could have known but little of his tastes, and in these books I revelled with a delight past the power of expression.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I have before explained that I had been a sickly child, and was on this account spared from those duties about the farm which were required of my brothers; and I have said something with regard to my acquirements in the matter of reading, which were then somewhat more rare than they are like to become as time goes on.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Whilst at my aunt Betsy's house in Ilminster, I had also acquired the rudiments of the art of writing and the casting up of accounts and the keeping of books; and when I returned home, I had no mind to let these things slip from my memory.
a late time of life
From this reading _MY CAREER IS SETTLED._ Of the next two years of my life I need say little.
