used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
how long something has existed
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
for the reason that
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
a youthful male person
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
CatechismnounUS /ˈkætəkɪzəm/
a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
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 took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
decreedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːd/
fixed or established especially by order or command
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
geographynounUS /dʒiˈɑːɡrəfi/
study of the earth's surface; includes people's responses to topography and climate and soil and vegetation
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
a quick look
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
GrammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
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 Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
not any; not one
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
realmsnounUS /relmz/
plural of “realm” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
carry out
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed so much easier to take in than to give out in any form.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading He took almost as eagerly to the old stories out of the Bible--stories of which he had caught more than a glimpse at home--but the Catechism was like washing in the morning: it had to be done because higher powers so decreed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Gradually he began to dip into history and geography--wonderful realms into which his imagination plunged headlong.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Grammar gave him no difficulty, because it dealt with words, and words possessed a magic charm that always held him.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, he learned a good deal for a little boy of his age, but he never knew how it happened.
