used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
(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 Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
axiomnounUS /ˈæksiəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
a youthful male person
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
cisternnounUS /ˈsɪstərn/
a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
copy-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
start firing a weapon
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
head-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
justifiesverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪz/
third-person singular of “justify” — show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
go away from a place
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
MamnounUS /mɑːm/
a member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
Minkie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
objectionsnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃənz/
plural of “objection” — the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
plugverbUS /plʌɡ/
fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
SCHWARTZ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
express a supposition
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
express in words
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
UNDOINGnounUS /ənˈduːɪŋ/
an act that makes a previous act of no effect (as if not done)
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
a message informing of danger
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
but in spite of that
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
