Chapter XXIX · A Boy in Prison

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

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

quick or skillful or adept in action or thought

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

later than; following

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

affected manners intended to impress others

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

a youthful male person

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

possessive form of “carter” — Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

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

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

psychological suffering

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

at any time

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

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

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

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

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

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

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

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

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

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

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

held up in the air

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

deficient in amount or quality or extent

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

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

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

expressing sorrow

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

on one occasion

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

go across or through

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

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

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

cut with a saw

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

temporarily incapable of speaking

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

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

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

a special situation

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

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

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

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

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

showing sorrow

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

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

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.

during the time that

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading Once he lifted up his face, and looked wildly around his dungeon.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The most mournful thing that I have ever witnessed was a child in prison.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

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

From this reading This child was evidently proud of the adroit theft that had brought him to that disgraceful pass, and put on airs that an old criminal would have been ashamed of, while the poor mother looked on speechless with wonder and distress.

a late time of life

From this reading Once I saw a hardened little sinner of twelve years, laughing at his mother through the gratings of a cell-door.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading In the same prison, and in a cell like that, a boy younger than twelve, knelt the week after Mrs. Carter’s party—knelt and prayed by the meagre prison-bed, which shook under the fearful power of his weeping.