Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the state of being absent

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

how long something has existed

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

(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 The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

past form of “alternate” — go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

eagerly desirous

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

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

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

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

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

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

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the formal act of approving

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

show off

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

a young person of either sex

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

the state of being with someone

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

get the meaning of something

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

move gently or carefully

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

provide as food

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

powerful and effective language

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

death of a person

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

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

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

reproduce someone's behavior or looks

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

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

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

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

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

characteristic of maturity

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

and nothing more

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

above and across; more than

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

by chance

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

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

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

an abstracted state of absorption

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

characterized by dignity and propriety

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

a state of social isolation

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

lacking natural ease

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

having intellectual depth

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

characterized by high spirits and animation

From this reading The ordinary vivacity of childhood forsook me; I became quiet, sedate, and thoughtful.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

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

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

at the time that

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The absence of play-fellows of my own age, the companionship of mature minds, alternated only by complete solitude, gave something precocious, whether to my imagination or my reason.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

which person or people

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading The wild fables muttered to me by the old nurse in the summer twilight or over the winter's hearth,-- the effort made by my struggling intellect to comprehend the grave, sweet wisdom of my father's suggested lessons,--tended to feed a passion for revery, in which all my faculties strained and struggled, as in the dreams that come when sleep is nearest waking.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

produce a literary work

From this reading I had learned to read with ease, and to write with some fluency, and I already began to imitate, to reproduce.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading When I was between my seventh and my eighth year, a change came over me, which may perhaps be familiar to the notice of those parents who boast the anxious blessing of an only child.