Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

affected manners intended to impress others

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

(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 fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

the descendants of one individual

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

present reasons and arguments

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

(informal) very unpleasant

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

carefully weighed

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

causing one to believe the truth of something

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

a social unit living together

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

plural of “foreigner” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

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

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

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

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

close or warm friendship

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

immediately past

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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 Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

and nothing more

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

in a petulant manner

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

make visible

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

express in speech

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

the quality of being superior

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

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

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

showing or resulting from lack of judgment or wisdom

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

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

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

during the time that

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading A Night of Adventure It will be seen from the events recorded in the last chapter that Everard, while liking the various members of the Greville family, had taken a great prejudice against Ernesto Trapani.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The fact is that Everard, brought up with all the insular pride of birth of an English squire, had a poor opinion of foreigners, and was unwise enough occasionally to reveal his attitude of British superiority, and to give himself airs.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.

but in spite of that

From this reading It annoyed Everard to see Ernesto on terms of great intimacy with Carmel, and to hear them talk together in Italian, a language of which, as yet, he knew only a few sentences.

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

From this reading "I wish you'd speak decent English, instead of that beastly lingo!" he said to her one day, petulantly.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Ernesto, handsome, clever, and with a long line of Italian ancestry at his back, considered himself in every way a match for the young Englishman, and would argue with him on many points, often beating him by logic, though never convincing him.