Chapter III

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

(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 But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Yet we could not be silent altogether.

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

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Yet we could not be silent altogether.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

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

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

Roman Emperor after his nephew Caligula was murdered; consolidated the Roman Empire and conquered southern Britain; was poisoned by his fourth wife Agrippina after her son Nero was named as Claudius' heir (10 BC to AD 54)

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

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

From this reading Yet we could not be silent altogether.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

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

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

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

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

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

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

hear with intention

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

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

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

the force of workers available

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

and nothing more

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

in a compassionate manner

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

an educational institution

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Yet we could not be silent altogether.

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

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

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

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus my secret did not leak out.

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

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

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

From this reading Sometimes little boys were sent out to listen to us, under pretence of carrying on their games in our neighbourhood.

at the time that

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

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

From this reading In school, when the master told us about the great men of our country, from Claudius Civilis to William the Silent, we smiled pityingly, and said to each other, afterwards— “L. J. could have done better than that!”—or, “They ought to have tried L. J.; he could have taught them something!”—and the like—so that we began to be called “L. J.’s.”

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading But we were on our guard, and only talked all sorts of nonsense when the small spies were within hearing.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet we could not be silent altogether.