Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

possessing life

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

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

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

apart from; not including

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

plural of “eyelid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

a social unit living together

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

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

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

a social unit living together

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

of great significance or value

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

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

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading LIMITS.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

the act of managing something

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

the force of workers available

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

many times at short intervals

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

look past, fail to notice

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

a person who requires medical care

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

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

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

showing fear and lack of confidence

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

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

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

not noticed

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

the act of using

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

precisely as stated

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

the activity of making visits

From this reading When visiting a patient not a symptom escaped him, not a flicker of timid eyelids passed unnoticed, not a passing shade of color on the invalid's countenance but called for his acute observation.

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

From this reading Except in matters that related to his own profession, Dr. Maybright was apt to be slightly absent-minded; here he was always keenly alive.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

widely or fully known

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In household matters, however, he was apt to overlook trifles, and very often completely to forget what seemed to his family important arrangements.

at the time that

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.

superlative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Even the wisest men know very little of household management, and never did an excellent and well-intentioned individual put, to use a well-known phrase, his foot more completely into it than Dr. Maybright when he allowed Polly to learn experience by taking the reins of household management for a week.