used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
CAMBRIDGEnounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/
a university in England
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
CarlylenounUS /ˈkɑːrlaɪl/
Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
consistentlyadverbUS /kənˈsɪstəntli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
DarwinnounUS /ˈdɑːrwɪn/
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
dearly loved
From this reading _TO MY PLAYMATE_ _My dear Doña_:
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
discriminationnounUS /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/
unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
dislikenounUS /dɪˈslaɪk/
an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
Doña
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _TO MY PLAYMATE_ _My dear Doña_:
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
fairy-tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
fondnessnounUS /ˈfɑːndnəs/
a predisposition to like something
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
set up or found
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
GoethenounUS /ɡoʊθ/
German poet and novelist and dramatist who lived in Weimar (1749-1832)
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
Lyell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _TO MY PLAYMATE_ _My dear Doña_:
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
a brief written record
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
on one occasion
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
originatedverbUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪtəd/
past form of “originate” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
PLAYMATEnounUS /ˈpleɪmeɪt/
a companion at play
From this reading _TO MY PLAYMATE_ _My dear Doña_:
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
rejectionnounUS /rɪˈdʒekʃən/
the act of rejecting something
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
solelyadverbUS /ˈsoʊəli/
without any others being included or involved
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
a male human offspring
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
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 The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
Taine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The discrimination originated neither in excessive fondness of fact, nor in the slightest dislike of fiction; being solely due to a greater preference for the stories they themselves created than for those they found in books.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _TO MY PLAYMATE_ _My dear Doña_:
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
UnounUS /juː/
a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
WILSONnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading =University Press:= JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading _Once upon a time two children read aloud together more or less of Darwin, Spencer, Lyell, Goethe, Carlyle, Taine, and other writers of equal note.
a late time of life
From this reading Though the books were somewhat above their comprehension, and certainly not so well suited to their years as fairy-tales and romances, both the choice and the rejection were deliberately made and consistently maintained.
