Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

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

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

a youthful male person

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

clothing in general

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

at any time

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

apart from; not including

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

possessive form of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

press tightly together or cram

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

a large number or amount

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

suitable for or suggestive of singing

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

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

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

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

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

used to form the superlative

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

by chance

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

of plants; planted or grown in a pot

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

an educational institution

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

get rid of

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

the quality of being significant

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading But as a fact I had other things to think about, and did not in the least realise the significance of my journey.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

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

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

create by training and teaching

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

(informal) small and of little importance

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading I had lots of new clothes and more money in my pocket than I had ever had before, and in the guard's van at the back of the train there was a large box that I had packed myself with jam and potted meat and cake.

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

From this reading This was not due to any extraordinary self-control on my part, for I was always ready to shed tears on the most trivial occasion.

at the time that

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.

which person or people

From this reading In this, as in other matters, I had been aided by the expert advice of a brother who was himself at a school in the North, and it was perhaps natural that in the comfortable security of the holidays he should have given me an almost lyrical account of the joys of life at a boarding-school.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The New Boy I When I left home to go to boarding-school for the first time I did not cry like the little boys in the story-books, though I had never been away from home before except to spend holidays with relatives.