used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
in actual fact
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
adventurernounUS /ædˈventʃərər/
a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
adventurersnounUS /ædˈventʃərərz/
plural of “adventurer” — a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
matters of personal concern
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
anew
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
(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 At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
aviatornounUS /ˈeɪvieɪtər/
someone who operates an aircraft
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
bootynounUS /ˈbuːti/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
a youthful male person
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
educativeadjectiveUS /ˌedʒɪˈkeɪtɪv/
resulting in education
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
escapesnounUS /ɪˈskeɪps/
plural of “escape” — the act of escaping physically
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
divisible by two
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
a young female
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
inexperiencedadjectiveUS /ɪnɪkˈspɪriənst/
lacking practical experience or training
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
and nothing more
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
the force of workers available
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
a particular point in time
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
of an obscure nature
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
progenitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
robbernounUS /ˈrɑːbər/
a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
not often
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
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 At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Well-brought-up girls seldom are fortunate enough to have such educative experiences.
teensnounUS /tiːnz/
the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
create by training and teaching
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
untaughtadjective
lacking in schooling
From this reading Their friends are selected for them, gentle untaught creatures like themselves.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
well-brought-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At ten he is a pirate, at twelve a train robber, at fourteen an aviator, actually living in all his thoughts and experiences the life of his hero of the moment, learning all the while that the world about him is full of adventurers like himself, ready to dispute his claims at the slightest pretext, or to carry off his booty by prevailing physical force.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Few men, even fathers, realize how utterly inexperienced is the average well-brought-up girl, just emerged from her teens, in the affairs of the great mysterious world that lies about her.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading A boy, in his youth living over again the history of his progenitors, escapes his nurse to become an adventurer.
