Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

later than; following

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

(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 His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

in a state of sleep

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

unvarying in nature

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

suited to your comfort or purpose or needs

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

plural of “cruelty” — a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

-ing form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

engage in

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

not any; not one

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

score a line on with a pointed instrument, as in metalworking

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

in the near future

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

move an implement through

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

express in words

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading I cannot tell thee more, his father answered, than that the scribe I've chosen is a great Hebrew scholar.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

failure to attend (especially school)

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But if he knows two languages, Joseph insisted.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His father caught him one day sitting in a convenient bough, looking down upon his preceptor fairly asleep on a bench; and after this adventure he began to make a mocking stock of his preceptor, inventing all kinds of cruelties, and his truancy became so constant that his father was forced to choose another.

precisely as stated

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

which person or people

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading He was no doubt a great scholar, but he was not the man that Joseph wished for: thin and tall and of gentle appearance and demeanour, he did not stir up a flame for work in Joseph, who, as soon as the novelty of learning Hebrew had worn off, began to hide himself in the garden.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading This time a younger man was chosen, but he succeeded with Joseph not very much better than the first.