Chapter II

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

how long something has existed

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

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

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

present

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

the formal act of approving

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

brought into existence

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

one of the administrative divisions of a large city

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

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

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

carefully weighed

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

a female human offspring

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

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

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

having an illustrious reputation; respected

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

-ing form of “exhort” — spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

a social unit living together

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

highest in quality

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

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

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

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

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

the act of departing

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

an agricultural county of eastern England on the North Sea

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

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

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used to form the superlative

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

not any; not one

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

the state of being a parent

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

plural of “profession” — the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

cause to become

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

determined

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

an educational institution

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

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

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading My father, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a blacksmith, and esteemed among the first in his line of business in that place.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

being of use or service

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

precisely as stated

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE OF THE AUTHOR I was born in Boston, a considerable borough town in Lincolnshire, in Great Britain, on the 21st of May, 1783.

(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 My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading My father, who considered a good education as the greatest blessing he could bestow on his children, was very particular in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhorting us to behave well, and endeavouring to impress on our minds the principles of virtue and morality, and no expense in his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might render us useful and respectable in society.

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

From this reading My brother, who was four years older than myself and of a more hardy constitution, he destined for his own trade, but to me he had resolved to give an education superior to that which is to be obtained in a common school, it being his intention that I should adopt one of the learned professions.

which person or people

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.

a late time of life

From this reading At the age of three years I had the misfortune to lose my mother, a most excellent woman, who died in childbed, leaving an infant daughter, who, with myself, and an elder brother by a former marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our family.