used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
a youthful male person
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
a social unit living together
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
fisherman'snounUS /ˈfɪʃərmənz/
possessive form of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
fosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/
promote the growth of
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
foundlingnounUS /ˈfaʊndlɪŋ/
a child who has been abandoned and whose parents are unknown
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
impartverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrt/
transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
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 In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
profitedverbUS /ˈprɑːfətəd/
past form of “profit” — derive a benefit from
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
RUSSIANnounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading A GLANCE AT RUSSIAN HISTORY.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading His natural intelligence had thus been quickened, and his thirst for knowledge increased by the humble but useful instructions of his kind foster father.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
except if; if not
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
being of use or service
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
precisely as stated
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
which person or people
From this reading Michael had so far profited by his father’s instructions, as to be able to impart the elements of useful knowledge to Gerald, who was both an apt and eager scholar.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading In the long nights of the Russian winter, unless there is some kind of mental employment, time passes very wearily.
a late time of life
From this reading Ten years glided away and very little change took place in the fisherman’s family, excepting that the infant foundling grew up, by degrees, into a fine intelligent boy.
