Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

(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 The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

only a very short time before

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

money in the form of bills or coins

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

lacking spontaneity; not natural

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

bear the expenses of

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

of great significance or value

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

a supply of food especially for a household

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

the act of departing

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

known widely and usually unfavorably

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

possessive form of “oscar” — an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

almost; nearly

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas)

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

term of address for a man

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

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

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

not in physical motion

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a quantity of money

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was natural that Oscar Wilde, with his eager sponge-like receptivity, should receive the best academic education of his time, and should better that by travel.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

a university student who has not yet received a first degree

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

during the time that

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

a liquor made from fermented mash of grain

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading We all get something like the education we desire, and Oscar Wilde, it always seemed to me, was over-educated, had learned, that is, too much from books and not enough from life and had thought too little for himself; but my readers will be able to judge of this for themselves.

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

From this reading The most important event in Oscar's early life happened while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford: his father, Sir William Wilde, died in 1876, leaving to his wife, Lady Wilde, nearly all he possessed, some L7,000, the interest of which was barely enough to keep her in genteel poverty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Oscar's small portion, a little money and a small house with some land, came to him in the nick of time: he used the cash partly to pay some debts at Oxford, partly to defray the expenses of a trip to Greece.

a late time of life

From this reading The sum is so small that one is constrained to believe the report that Sir William Wilde in his later years kept practically open house--"lashins of whisky and a good larder," and was besides notorious for his gallantries.