used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
how long something has existed
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
eloquencenounUS /ˈel.ə.kwəns/
Fluent, persuasive, and graceful speaking or writing. (Sự hùng biện, tài ăn nói lưu loát.)
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
at any time
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
idlenessnounUS /ˈaɪdəlnəs/
having no employment
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
indebtedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪd/
owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
lyceumnoun
a school for students intermediate between elementary school and college; usually grades 9 to 12
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
held or filled or in use
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
refrain from harming
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
SPEECH-MAKING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPEECH-MAKING.
studiousadjectiveUS /ˈstuːdiəs/
marked by care and effort
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
express a supposition
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
temperancenounUS /ˈtempərəns/
the trait of avoiding excesses
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
a special situation
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But let not the reader suppose it was the result of chance, or the consequence of superior talents alone.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At this time Nat occupied a position of honor and influence which few persons of his age ever attain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he had wasted his spare moments then in idleness,--as many boys do,--he never would have surprised the lyceum with a speech of such eloquence, nor been able to entertain an audience on the subject of temperance.
a late time of life
From this reading He was more indebted for it to the studious habits which he formed from twelve to fifteen years of age, than to any thing else.
