Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

an increase by natural growth or addition

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

later than; following

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

(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 Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

-ing form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

divisible by two

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

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

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

plural of “granny” — the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

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

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

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

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

impossible to resist; overpowering

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

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

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

-ing form of “loiter” — be about

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

something that is lost

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

-ing form of “neglect” — leave undone or leave out

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

not any; not one

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

plural of “refusal” — the act of refusing

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

at once

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and of being.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

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

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

directed up

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

an energetic style

From this reading But his was a nature which, foiled in one direction, must, absolutely helpless against its own vitality, straightway send out its searching roots in another.

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

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

at the time that

From this reading Even when seated at his grannie's table, he could do no more than fix his eyes on his book: to learn was impossible; it was even disgusting to him.

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

From this reading For some time after the loss of his friend, Robert went loitering and mooning about, quite neglecting the lessons to which he had not, it must be confessed, paid much attention for many weeks.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.

but in spite of that

From this reading Therefore no accumulation of refusals, and checks, and turnings, and forbiddings, from all the good old grannies in the world, could have prevented Robert from striking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, though, as in all higher natures, the fruit was a long way off yet.