used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
anew
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
in the past
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
ALCOTTnounUS /ˈælkɑːt/
United States novelist noted for children's books (1832-1888)
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
Alcotts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
AnnanounUS /ˈænə/
a former copper coin of Pakistan and India
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
brought into existence
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
Bronson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
a period of 100 years
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
a young person of either sex
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
carefully weighed
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
divinitynounUS /dɪˈvɪnəti/
any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
enthusiastnounUS /enˈθuːziæst/
an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
EugenicsnounUS /juːˈdʒenɪks/
the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
a social unit living together
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
fatherhoodnounUS /ˈfɑːðərhʊd/
the kinship relation between an offspring and the father
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
fulfillmentnounUS /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/
a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
Germantown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
infantsnounUS /ˈɪnfənts/
plural of “infant” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
Louisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
motherhoodnounUS /ˈmʌðərhʊd/
the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
parentaladjectiveUS /pərˈentəl/
designating the generation of organisms from which hybrid offspring are produced
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
PennsylvanianounUS /ˌpensəlˈveɪnjə/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
prenataladjectiveUS /priˈneɪtəl/
occurring or existing before birth
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
QuakersnounUS /ˈkweɪkərz/
a Christian sect founded by George Fox about 1660; commonly called Quakers
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
on the contrary
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
an educational institution
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
temptingadjectiveUS /ˈtemptɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading They felt it their parental privilege rather than their duty to aid the human development of the child and thus further the fulfillment of its destiny.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eugenics and prenatal influence were not discussed then as they are to-day, but in the Alcott family nearly a century ago they were being thought and lived.
traveledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Again his fame as a teacher traveled, and he received an offer from the Quakers of Philadelphia to start a school there, an offer so tempting that the Alcotts moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, where Anna and Louisa were born.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Bronson Alcott and his wife considered children an expression, not of themselves, but of divinity, and as such to be accepted as a trust, rather than as a gratification of their own human longing for fatherhood and motherhood.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE ALCOTT CHILDREN FOR some months after their marriage the Alcotts lived in Boston, where the young enthusiast taught a school for infants.
