used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
(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 Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
Aylmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
a youthful male person
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
crossing-sweepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK SPARLING.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
not any; not one
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
an educational institution
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
do one's shopping
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
a male human offspring
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
SPARLINGnounUS /ˈspɑːrlɪŋ/
common smelt of Europe
From this reading JACK SPARLING.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
at the time that
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
belonging to which person
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading There was a junior class in the evening school now, composed of errand boys, crossing-sweepers, telegraph boys, and others whose days were occupied, and Roger and his friend Richard Wilson, son of Mr. Wilson, of the Post Office, taught this class turns about, thus setting Mr. Aylmer free for the elder lads.
Wilsons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Wilsons were very kind to Roger, and when their eldest boy finally left school, they often asked him to their house, feeling that he was a very safe companion for their boys.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Between work, friends, books, and helping Mr. Aylmer in the evening school, his hands, head, and heart were all occupied.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading ABOUT a year had passed since Roger moved into his new shop, and his prosperity had known no check.
