Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

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

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

react verbally

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

brought into existence

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

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

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

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

From this reading 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

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

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

not in action or at work

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

a brief written record

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

lacking power

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

repeat a passage from

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form

From this reading VERSES BY H.B. PICTURES BY B.T.B. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.

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

From this reading To Miss ALICE WOLCOTT BRINLEY, Of Philadelphia.

showing curiosity

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

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

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

a late time of life

From this reading The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other: "An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose?

but in spite of that

From this reading Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.