Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

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

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

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

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

cause to be bored

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

a young person of either sex

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent)

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

a female human offspring

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the muscle tone of healthy tissue

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

set up or found

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

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

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

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

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

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

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

English physiologist who, with Alan Hodgkin, discovered the role of potassium and sodium ions in the transmission of the nerve impulse (born in 1917)

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

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

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the early stage of growth or development

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

joined in matrimony

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

possessive form of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

on the contrary

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

an educational institution

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

a male human offspring

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

the husband of your daughter

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

a person who follows next in order

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

still in existence

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

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

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

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

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

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

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

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

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading George Huxley, the master at Ealing, was the second son of Thomas Huxley and Margaret James, who were married at St. Michael's, Coventry, on September 8, 1773.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

which person or people

From this reading Here stood a large semi-public school, which had risen to the front rank in numbers and reputation under Dr. Nicholas, of Wadham College, Oxford, who in 1791 became the son-in-law and successor of the previous master.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

the highest part of the back at the base of the neck of various animals especially draft animals

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

the words that are spoken

From this reading The senior assistant-master in this school was George Huxley, a tall, dark, rather full-faced man, quick tempered, and distinguished, in his son's words, by "that glorious firmness which one's enemies called obstinacy."

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading [In the year 1825 Ealing was as quiet a country village as could be found within a dozen miles of Hyde Park Corner.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In the year 1810 he had married Rachel Withers; she bore five sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy; the seventh and youngest surviving child was Thomas Henry.