Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

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

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

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

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

of persons; not subject to change

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

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

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

any of several games played with small rectangular blocks

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

uplifting enlightenment

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

divisible by two

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

at any time

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

intense or sharp

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

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

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

in fear

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

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

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

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

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

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

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

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

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

past form of “indulge” — give free rein to

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

in a literal sense

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

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 His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

full of trivial conversation

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

used to form the superlative

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

paying close attention especially to details

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

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

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

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

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

full of trivial conversation

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

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

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading The action that most children develop through exercise of limb had been reserved for his untiring tongue.

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

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading From being the most silent of children, a perfect creep-mouse in every way, Ernie had become fearfully loquacious under my care, and was now as talkative as he had ever been observant.

at the time that

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

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

From this reading He had literally learned to talk from hearing me read aloud, which I did daily, much to Mrs. Clayton's delight and edification, for the benefit of my own lungs, which suffered from such confirmed silence, as I had at first indulged in.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading He told himself wonderful stories in which the "buful faiwry" and "hollible" giant of the story-books figured largely.

the words that are spoken

From this reading His exquisite ear--his prodigious memory--aided him in the acquirement of words, and even long and difficult sentences, of which he delivered himself oracularly when engaged with his blocks and dominoes.