Chapter V

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

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

how long something has existed

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

(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 He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

the expression of approval and support

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

a boy or man

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

rapidity of movement

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have no idea what his age was.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

characteristic of or suffering from kyphosis, an abnormality of the vertebral column

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading I have no idea what his age was.

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

From this reading I have no idea what his age was.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading JIMMY THE RHYMER.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

not any; not one

From this reading I have no idea what his age was.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

with condescension; in a patronizing manner

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

a writer who composes rhymes; a maker of poor verses (usually used as terms of contempt for minor or inferior poets)

From this reading JIMMY THE RHYMER.

express in words

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

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

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

with tenderness; in a tender manner

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading JIMMY THE RHYMER.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

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

From this reading James Redmond, the boys used to say, was small for his size and old for his age.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He was not exactly humpbacked, but his shoulders came so nearly up to the level of his ears that he seemed so; and he was not exactly an invalid, though we never counted on him in any of the games or enterprises that required strength or fleetness.

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

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I have no idea what his age was.

which person or people

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

a late time of life

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.

but in spite of that

From this reading He must have been some years older than I, and yet all the boys in my set treated him tenderly and patronizingly, as if he were a little fellow who needed their encouragement and protection.