Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

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

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

any thing at all

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

aroused to action

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

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

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

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

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

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

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

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

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

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

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

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

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

held dear

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

becoming proficient in the use of something; having mastery of

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

of an obscure nature

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

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

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

hard monotonous routine work

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

not often

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

plural of “schoolbook” — a book prepared for use in schools or colleges

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

plural of “schoolmate” — an acquaintance that you go to school with

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Study in the sense of close and painful application was quite foreign to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

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

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

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

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

plural of “triumph” — a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

by bad luck

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.

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

From this reading He used schoolbooks, of course, but he was rarely caught reading one of them.

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

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

in or at the place that

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

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

From this reading His mind seemed to master the offered knowledge by some mysterious process of absorption of which he himself was never aware.

which person or people

From this reading Unfortunately most of his schoolmates were dull plodders who had not yet reached a stage where plodding counted, and so his triumphs came easy and there was nothing to spur him into serious effort.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet he seemed capable of mastering anything that aroused his interest--or that stirred his vanity, for he loved to shine.