1850
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
1854
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
BostoniannounUS /ˌbɔːˈstoʊniən/
a native or resident of Boston
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
boy-mind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Boston offered none that could help outside.
cutverbUS /kʌt/
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
evilsnounUS /ˈiːvəlz/
plural of “evil” — morally objectionable behavior
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
EXCEPTprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
foresightnounUS /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/
providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
fortiesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtiz/
the time of life between 40 and 50
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Boston offered none that could help outside.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
meritnounUS /ˈmerət/
any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
MountverbUS /maʊnt/
attach to a support
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Boston offered none that could help outside.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Boston offered none that could help outside.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Boston offered none that could help outside.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
Philippe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
QueennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
rejectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʒektɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
singularadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/
unusual or striking
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
slack-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
StreetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
suppleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌpəl/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
unlearnedadjective
not established by conditioning or learning
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
Vernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading Every one now smiles at the bad taste of Queen Victoria and Louis Philippe--the society of the forties--but the taste was only a reflection of the social slack-water between a tide passed, and a tide to come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The surface was ready to take any form that education should cut into it, though Boston, with singular foresight, rejected the old designs.
WASHINGTONnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən/
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What sort of education was stamped elsewhere, a Bostonian had no idea, but he escaped the evils of other standards by having no standard at all; and what was true of school was true of society.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading WASHINGTON (1850-1854) EXCEPT for politics, Mount Vernon Street had the merit of leaving the boy-mind supple, free to turn with the world, and if one learned next to nothing, the little one did learn needed not to be unlearned.
