Chapter XXIII

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 boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

later than; following

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

equally

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading The leaves which I gathered as a boy are my illustration.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a youthful male person

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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 In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

assemble or get together

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

brought together in one place

From this reading The leaves which I gathered as a boy are my illustration.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

destroyed or killed

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading The leaves which I gathered as a boy are my illustration.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

conformity or harmony

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

absolutely essential

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

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

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

To recall to mind.

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

Identical; not different.

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

an educational institution

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

plural of “spin” — a swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

a quantity of money

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

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

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

informal terms for clothing

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

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

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

without gain or profit

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

precisely as stated

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

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

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

at the time that

From this reading When I was a boy at school, I used, like other boys, to employ very unprofitably some of my leisure hours in keeping silk-worms.

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

From this reading The leaves which I gathered as a boy are my illustration.

which person or people

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

belonging to which person

From this reading In a neighbouring garden there was a large mulberry-tree, and for a certain sum--I forget what--I, as well as other boys, was permitted to go in and gather as many leaves as I thought necessary as food for the emblem of the English literary man: I mean the silk-worm who spins golden threads for the benefit of others, and whose tomb is valued after he himself is gone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But it is not with the silk-worm I have to do now.

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

From this reading I remember very well that I used to place them one upon the other in a pile, and try to gather them as nearly of the same size and shape as I could; but, do what I would, I never was able to find two that were exactly alike.