Chapter I · Chapter 1

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

how long something has existed

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

(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 The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “allusion” — passing reference or indirect mention

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

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

From this reading These are not imagined instances.

plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

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

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

for the reason that

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

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

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

(of information) make known; pass on

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

reduced in strength or concentration or quality or purity

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

being one more than seventeen

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

divisible by two

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

apart from; not including

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

plural of “fiction” — a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading These are not imagined instances.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

plural of “instance” — an occurrence of something

From this reading These are not imagined instances.

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

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

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

not any; not one

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These are not imagined instances.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

and nothing more

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

domestic swine

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

move upward

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

only a very short time before

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

and nothing more

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

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

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These are not imagined instances.

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

From this reading They know nothing except their text-books, and they know these simply for the purpose of examination.

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

From this reading The children referred to are in good circumstances and have had fairly intelligent associations, but their education has been intrusted to the schools.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The stories they read, if they read at all--the novels, so called, that they have been brought up on--are the diluted and feeble fictions that flood the country, and that scarcely rise above the intellectual level of Jimmy and the absorbed pig.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Such pupils come to the age of eighteen with not only no taste for the best reading, for the reading of books, but without the ability to be interested even in fiction of the first class, because it is full of allusions that convey nothing to their minds.