used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
abilitiesnounUS /əˈbɪlətiːz/
plural of “ability” — the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
Adair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
(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 Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
Bruce'snounUS /ˈbruːsəz/
possessive form of “bruce” — Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
childishnessnoun
a property characteristic of a child
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
Damer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
deferverbUS /dɪˈfɜːr/
hold back to a later time
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
endeavournounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
exercisesnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzəz/
plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
obtain
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
impetuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpetʃwəs/
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
instructverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkt/
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
immediately past
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
in like or similar manner
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
held dear
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
and nothing more
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
regulateverbUS /ˈreɡjəleɪt/
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
school-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
precisely as stated
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading She had only three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce's capacity was bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was warm and impetuous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, therefore, was devoted to the young people under her care.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were to hear them repeat their lessons before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but amuse.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Mrs. Adair had selected from the first class four young ladies, to regulate the younger pupils.
