used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading If he got hold of a book he would read it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
only a very short time before
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If he got hold of a book he would read it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
go across or through
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
passionatelyadverbUS /ˈpæʃənətli/
with passion
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading If he got hold of a book he would read it.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
an educational institution
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
SKETCHnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CHARACTER SKETCH OF OUR HERO Steve was not fond of school.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He liked studying and learning, but he wanted to select his own studies, and hated to be forced to learn what he did not wish to study.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was passionately fond of books, with hardly any distinction.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would never allow a book to pass out of his hand without first reading it, if he could help it.
