Chapter XVII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the two together, not just one

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

a youthful male person

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the act of departing

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

obtain from someone after their death

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

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 Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

held dear

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

and nothing more

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

by chance

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

express in words

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Neither my grandfather nor my grandmother on my mother’s side cared in the least about insects.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

express in words

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I did not know my grandfather, but I know that he had a hard time making a living, and I am sure the only attention he paid to an insect, if he met it, was to crush it under his foot.

which person or people

From this reading THE BOY WHO LOVED INSECTS Nowadays, people lay everything to heredity; that is, they say that human beings and animals both receive their special talents from their ancestors, who have perhaps been developing them through many generations.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I do not altogether agree with this theory.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I am going to tell you my own story to show that I did not inherit my passion for insects from any of my ancestors.