used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
abilitiesnounUS /əˈbɪlətiːz/
plural of “ability” — the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
a youthful male person
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
the act of consuming food
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
divisible by two
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
good-for-nothingnoun
an idle worthless person
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
immediately past
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
for more time
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
engage in
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
mechanicnounUS /məˈkænɪk/
a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
an educational institution
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
a male human offspring
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
stepfathernounUS /ˈstepfɑːðər/
the husband of your mother by a subsequent marriage
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
Steve's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _She_ knew this was altogether against the wishes and abilities of her son, and she insisted that he should be placed in an office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
Waitz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading OUT OF SCHOOL As we stated in the last chapter, Steve was taken from school before his education was at all fairly completed and placed in an office.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
which person or people
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Her influence--and a good woman’s influence, even on a bad man, always makes itself felt--gained for Steve the victory, and he was not placed with a mechanic, which he would have hated.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading This was done against the wishes of his mother; but his stepfather said he could not have him eating the roof off the house and live a lazy, good-for-nothing life any longer--he must work and earn his living.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading William Waitz (which was the name of Steve’s stepfather) wanted to make a mechanic of the poor boy, but his mother, who understood his nature, would not allow this.
