Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

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

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

(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 "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

any thing at all

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

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

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

comparative of “busy” — actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

-ing form of “cherish” — be fond of; be attached to

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

white or light-colored crested parrot of the Australian region; often kept as cage birds

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

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

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

a state at a particular time

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

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 Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

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

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

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

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

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

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

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

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

conformity or harmony

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

set down according to a plan

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

engage in

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

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

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

used to form the superlative

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

to a great degree or extent

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

a period of time spent sleeping

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

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

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

a journey to a sacred place

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

precisely, exactly

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

term of address for a man

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

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

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

carry out

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

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

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

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

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

two times

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "I have felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented spirit."

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

at the time that

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

which person or people

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage, you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there will be less inclination to be discontented.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And with such a beautiful world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.