used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
accomplishmentsnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənts/
plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
(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 To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
amphibiousadjectiveUS /æmˈfɪbiəs/
relating to or characteristic of animals of the class Amphibia
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
fearless and daring
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
Fairport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
ORATORnounUS /ˈɔːrətər/
a person who delivers a speech or oration
From this reading THE YOUNG ORATOR.
oystersnounUS /ˈɔɪstərz/
plural of “oyster” — marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
Penrose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
by chance
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
piousadjectiveUS /ˈpaɪəs/
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
rodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
ruddernounUS /ˈrʌdər/
a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
schoolmaster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
sharksnounUS /ʃɑːrks/
plural of “shark” — any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
softenverbUS /ˈsɑːfən/
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE YOUNG ORATOR.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A bold, hardy, merry set they were; and but for the schoolmaster's rod and the teaching of their pious mothers, might have been as ignorant as oysters and merciless as the sharks.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading To fish and swim, row, trim the sail, and guide the rudder, were accomplishments they all could boast.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
at the time that
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
which person or people
From this reading The boys of Fairport were an amphibious set, who could live on land truly, but were happiest when in or near the water.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Master Penrose had whipped into most of them the elements of a plain English education, and gentle mothers had power to soften and rule these rough boys, when perhaps a stronger hand would have failed.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE YOUNG ORATOR.
