Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

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

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

(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 it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

completing its life cycle within a year

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

-ing form of “apply” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

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

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

grow worse

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

divisible by two

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

of the highest quality

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

the act of departing

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

plural of “grade” — a body of students who are taught together

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

presiding officer of a school

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

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

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

an educational institution

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

presiding officer of a school

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

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

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

express a supposition

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

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

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading All it needs is a few more Adairs to get things going.

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

From this reading And there is this to be noted, that even at a "school" one gets an excellent education.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.

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

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

possessive form of “waugh” — English author of satirical novels (1903-1966)

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In Evelyn Waugh's book _Decline and Fall_ his hero, applying for a post as a schoolmaster, is told by the agent, "We class schools in four grades--leading school, first-rate school, good school, and school."

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It is one of those small English schools with aspirations one day to be able to put the word "public" before their name and to have their headmaster qualified to attend the annual Headmaster's Conference.

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

From this reading Sedleigh in Mike and Psmith would, I suppose, come into the last-named class, though not quite as low in it as Mr. Waugh's Llanabba.