used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
how long something has existed
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading EDUCATION OF JACOB.
divisible by two
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
a social unit living together
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
garlandverbUS /ˈɡɑːrlənd/
adorn with bands of flowers or leaves
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
of great significance or value
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
JACOBnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəb/
French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading EDUCATION OF JACOB.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
maturitynounUS /məˈtʃʊrəti/
the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
occurrencesnounUS /əˈkɜːrənsɪz/
plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading EDUCATION OF JACOB.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
on one occasion
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
which person or people
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
belonging to which person
From this reading "My parents were descended from an important and once wealthy family, whose fortunes had declined for several generations.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
a late time of life
From this reading Even in comparison with maturity, full of power and intelligence, those years seem to me strewn with flowers, although they were unhappy.
but in spite of that
From this reading I cannot boast of happiness in my childhood, yet the memory of those days brings tears to my eyes, and I repeat that which is written in one of our books: 'Youth is a garland of flowers; old age, a crown of thorns.'
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading "Who does not love to recall the occurrences of youth, however sad?
