Chapter IV · Black Marks and Birchings

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

plural of “bumblebee” — robust hairy social bee of temperate regions

From this reading The first of these lessons was about bumblebees.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Instinct could not teach him everything.

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

a branch of knowledge

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

your usual mood

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Instinct could not teach him everything.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

a social unit living together

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first of these lessons was about bumblebees.

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

plural of “fox” — alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

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

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Instinct could not teach him everything.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Instinct could not teach him everything.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

on one occasion

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

too busy

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

skillful performance or ability without difficulty

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

an educational institution

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

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

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

carry out

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Instinct could not teach him everything.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And so it came about that he had to take some lessons from that rude teacher, experience.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The first of these lessons was about bumblebees.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

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

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

at the time that

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

which person or people

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

belonging to which person

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His mother was somewhat overbusy with the other members of the family, who had shown themselves so much more in need of her care.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Now came the critical time when the young foxes showed a disposition to wander off and hunt by themselves; and at this stage of his education Red Fox, whose quickness had hitherto saved him from any sharp discipline in the school of Nature, came under the ferule more than once.