used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
anew
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
(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 All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
CONTINENTnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
expendingnounUS /ˌekˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending money for goods or services
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
fallowadjectiveUS /ˈfæloʊ/
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
an established custom
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
HOLIDAYnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
not in action or at work
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
a unit of instruction
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
as might be expected
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
easily agitated
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
not divisible by two
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
productnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkt/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
relaxverbUS /rɪˈlæks/
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
systematicallyadverbUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪkli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
a special situation
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took time, for one thing, to find out how to relax; nervous persons never acquire this art naturally nor possess it instinctively.
the upper part of anything
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All my life I had been expending energy at top pressure and building it up again as fast as I could instead of sometimes letting it lie fallow for a bit.
precisely as stated
From this reading MY FIRST HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT It seemed very odd to be really idle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is with them the artificial product of painful experience.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading From the time I was thirteen I had been working and studying so systematically that to get the habit of leisure was like learning a new and a difficult lesson.
