Chapter III

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

later than; following

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

replying

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

for the reason that

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

a youthful male person

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

to an extreme degree

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

put to use

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

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 At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

inactivity resulting from a dislike of work

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

and nothing more

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

go away from a place

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

the literary culture

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

a midday meal

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

an account of the author's personal experiences

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

plural of “nephew” — a son of your brother or sister

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

in other respects or ways

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

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

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

precisely, exactly

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

an educational institution

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading At the end of the Christmas holidays, just after George was made a præpostor, we brought our guns in loaded, and left them in the servants’ hall during luncheon.

avoid (one's assigned duties)

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

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

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

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

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

a source of difficulty

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

the act of using

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

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

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

at the time that

From this reading When we first were allowed to use guns, he gave us special instructions never to bring them into the house loaded.

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

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

which person or people

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading You have seen already that he had to leave school half a year sooner than he would otherwise have left, because he was too easy-going as a sixth-form boy, and would not exert himself to keep order; and he had a constitutional indolence, which led him to shirk trouble in small matters, and to leave things to manage themselves.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _A FATHER’S LETTERS._ If this memoir is to do for you, his sons and nephews, what I hope it may, you must be told of his weak points.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading This fault used to annoy your grandfather, who was always exceedingly particular as to business habits, such as answering letters, and putting things in their right places.