used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Of course children's witticisms are always unconscious.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course children's witticisms are always unconscious.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
child-mind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
CHILDREN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHILDREN'S WITTICISMS CRITICALLY CONSIDERED.
carefully weighed
From this reading CHILDREN'S WITTICISMS CRITICALLY CONSIDERED.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course children's witticisms are always unconscious.
CRITICALLYadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading CHILDREN'S WITTICISMS CRITICALLY CONSIDERED.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
take in solid food
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
focusnounUS /ˈfoʊkəs/
the concentration of attention or energy on something
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
a young female
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
idiomnounUS /ˈɪdiəm/
a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
idiomaticadjectiveUS /ˌɪdiəˈmætɪk/
of or relating to or conforming to idiom
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
mushroomnounUS /ˈmʌʃruːm/
common name for an edible agaric (contrasting with the inedible toadstool)
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course children's witticisms are always unconscious.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
ReasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
precisely, exactly
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
a special situation
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading Reasonably enough the idiom is extremely troublesome to the child-mind.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading Of course children's witticisms are always unconscious.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
WITTICISMS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHILDREN'S WITTICISMS CRITICALLY CONSIDERED.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading They have taken the idiomatic quite literally: not quite caught our meaning; missed the right word in favour of another that is curiously like it in sound.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "_A focus is a thing that looks like a mushroom, but if you eat it you will feel different to a mushroom._"--SMALL GIRL.
