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 The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

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

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

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

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

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

From this reading His worries began at once.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

inflected form of “bully” — be bossy towards

From this reading It is not that he is bullied.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

unvarying in nature

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

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

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

at any time

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

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

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

come to pass

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

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

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

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

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

in a hopeless manner

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

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

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

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

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not that he is bullied.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

and nothing more

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

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's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not that he is bullied.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

on one occasion

From this reading His worries began at once.

go across or through

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

an educational institution

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

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

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

inflected form of “shy” — start suddenly, as from fright

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

a male human offspring

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is not that he is bullied.

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

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

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

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

precisely as stated

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

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

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

at the time that

From this reading Boots are not shied at him when he says his prayers; he is not tossed in a blanket; it is merely that he is utterly lonely, is in constant fear of making mistakes, is never certain of what may happen next, and so makes for himself troubles that do not exist.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

plural of “worry” — something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness

From this reading His worries began at once.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading The new boy's first week at a Public School is probably the most wretched he will ever pass in his life.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading And when Gordon wrote home to his people at the end of his second day it did not need a very clever mother to read between the lines and see that her son was hopelessly miserable.