used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
Atkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
a young person of either sex
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
deformedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfɔːrmd/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
EAGERadjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading EAGER WORDS.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
lamenounUS /leɪm/
someone who doesn't understand what is going on
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
and nothing more
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
an educational institution
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading Nevertheless, he was an eager little scholar, and his father was able to send him to a good school.
do one's shopping
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
spinenounUS /spaɪn/
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
well-to-doadjective
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His father and mother had kept a good shop, and not only earned money for their needs but were able to put by sufficient for a rainy day.
at the time that
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading John was always a small and delicate child, and as he grew older he developed disease of the spine, which not only gave him a deformed appearance but made him slightly lame.
the words that are spoken
From this reading EAGER WORDS.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When John Atkins was quite young he was well-to-do.
