used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
(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 He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
allottedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːtɪd/
given as a task
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
boisterousadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪstərəs/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
butternounUS /ˈbʌtər/
an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
clamorverbUS /ˈklæmər/
make loud demands
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
having made preparations
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
take in solid food
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
inducesverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːsɪz/
third-person singular of “induce” — cause to arise
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
mirthnounUS /mɜːrθ/
great merriment
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
NicholasnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/
a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
not one, and not any
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
participate in games or sport
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
porridgenounUS /ˈpɔːrədʒ/
soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
school-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
schoolroomnounUS /ˈskuːlruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He could not but observe how silent and sad the boys all seemed to be.
slicenounUS /slaɪs/
a share of something
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
stomachnounUS /ˈstʌmək/
an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
swallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The children sat crouching and shivering together, and seemed to lack the spirit to move about.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Having disposed of a slice of bread and butter, allotted to him in virtue of his office, he sat himself down to wait for school-time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was none of the noise and clamor of a schoolroom; none of its boisterous play or hearty mirth.
at the time that
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nicholas filled his stomach with a bowl of porridge, for much the same reason which induces some savages to swallow earth—lest they should be hungry when there is nothing to eat.
