Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

to an extreme degree

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

a boy or man

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

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

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

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

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

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

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

paying close attention especially to details

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

plural of “review” — a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

plural of “scratch” — an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio's Ideas--La Justa, El Carnicerín, and El Conejo.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

carry out

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

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

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

precisely as stated

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was an intelligent fellow of natural gifts, very observant and quick to take advantage of a situation.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading In the afternoon, work done, he would ask Manuel to read the newspapers and the illustrated reviews that he picked up on the streets, and the ragdealer and his wife listened with the utmost attention.

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

From this reading Señor Custodio was exceedingly eager for knowledge, and if it weren't that the notion struck him as ridiculous, he would have set about learning how to read and write.

produce a literary work

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

the act of creating written works

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.

but in spite of that

From this reading He could neither read nor write, yet made notes and kept accounts; with crosses and scratches of his own invention he devised a substitute for writing, at least for the purposes of his own business.