used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
how long something has existed
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
in the past
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
any thing at all
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I was none the wiser or more prudent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
a young person of either sex
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
dreadsnounUS /dredz/
plural of “dread” — fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
divisible by two
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
a boy or man
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
start firing a weapon
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
frolicnounUS /ˈfrɑːlɪk/
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
yet to be or coming
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
destroyed or killed
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
hair-brained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
infallibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfæləbəl/
incapable of failure or error
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
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 I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
a particular point in time
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But I was none the wiser or more prudent.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
not one, and not any
From this reading But I was none the wiser or more prudent.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
pipernounUS /ˈpaɪpər/
someone who plays the bagpipe
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
pranknounUS /præŋk/
acting like a clown or buffoon
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
proverbsnounUS /ˈprɑːvərbz/
an Old Testament book consisting of proverbs from various Israeli sages (including Solomon)
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading But I was none the wiser or more prudent.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
move hurridly
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
express in words
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
scaldedverbUS /ˈskɔːldɪd/
past form of “scald” — subject to harsh criticism
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
singedverbUS /sɪndʒd/
past form of “singe” — burn superficially or lightly
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
move stealthily
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
a source of difficulty
From this reading I lived entirely in the passing hour, the time gone by was quite forgotten, and about the future I never took the trouble to think a moment.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Inclined to every possible species of foolish prank, I was always ready to rush headlong into any kind of frolic--anything that promised fun, even if that were a row; and never did I let slip the opportunity of amusing myself.
at the time that
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading But I was none the wiser or more prudent.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading I was a living proof that proverbs are not always infallible; for if 'bought wit is best,' that is to say, wisdom bought by experience, I must have become wise long ago; if 'a burned child or a scalded cat dreads the fire,' I was singed and scalded often enough to have felt some dread; and 'to pay the piper' had frequently fallen upon me.
a late time of life
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When I was a young man about twenty years of age, I was a sad hair-brained fellow.
