used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
destructionnounUS /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
set up or found
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
destroyed or killed
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
instillingnounUS /ˌɪnˈstɪlɪŋ/
teaching or impressing upon the mind by frequent instruction or repetition
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
intuitiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtuːətɪv/
spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
engage in
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
manifestationsnounUS /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃənz/
plural of “manifestation” — a clear appearance
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
nightlyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪtli/
happening every night
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
on one occasion
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
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 To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
poemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
poeticaladjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪkəl/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
literature in metrical form
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
recurrencenounUS /rɪˈkɜːrəns/
happening again (especially at regular intervals)
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
Identical; not different.
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading To prevent the recurrence of a similar event, he conceived the desperate plan of instilling into his parents a love of poetry.
slipsnounUS /slɪps/
plural of “slip” — a socially awkward or tactless act
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
sparingadjectiveUS /ˈsperɪŋ/
avoiding waste
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
not in physical motion
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
possessing sweep
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
versesnounUS /ˈvɜːrsəz/
plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Very likely there was in her mind some intuitive perception of the fact that her son's poems 'wanted fire.'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
at the time that
From this reading John was greatly distressed when he found his verses gone; and more still when he discovered how the destruction happened.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the father was not sparing in his attacks upon John's poetical manifestations, the mother, on her part, was active in the same direction.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She had discovered her son's hiding-place of the curious slips of paper which engrossed his nightly attention, and, to make an end of the matter at once, the good woman swept up the whole lot one morning, and threw it in the chimney.
