used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
confessingverbUS /kənˈfesɪŋ/
-ing form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
distractionsnounUS /dɪˈstrækʃənz/
plural of “distraction” — mental turmoil
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
Gano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
grandsonnounUS /ˈɡrændsʌn/
a male grandchild
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
easily agitated
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Ethan had never shown a proper regard for money.
the season of growth
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
Tallmadge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
up to a particular time
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
un-Tallmadge-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
migratory
From this reading Despite the distractions of a host of wandering fancies, Ethan Gano had been kept fairly closely at his studies till he had passed his twentieth birthday.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Old Mr. Tallmadge, observing him narrowly, decided that his grandson had got into debt, and that he was nervous about confessing.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
at the time that
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading To be sure, there had been a threatened interruption the spring before, when he seemed suddenly to lose interest in his work, and went about with vacant looks and airs of profound preoccupation.
a late time of life
From this reading This was one of the many un-Tallmadge-like qualities developed by the years.
