used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
absentmindedadjective
lost in thought; showing preoccupation
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
afieldadverbUS /əˈfiːld/
far away from home or one's usual surroundings
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
how long something has existed
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
Ahlberg's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at school....
bonyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/
being very thin
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at school....
clutchnounUS /klʌtʃ/
the act of grasping
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
cropnounUS /krɑːp/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
dislikesnounUS /dɪˈslaɪks/
plural of “dislike” — an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
a boy or man
From this reading He knew the names of his fellow pupils.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
the act of departing
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
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 He knew the names of his fellow pupils.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
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 Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading He knew the names of his fellow pupils.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He knew the names of his fellow pupils.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
an educational institution
From this reading But at school....
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
strayingadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪɪŋ/
unable to find your way
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
supersensitiveadjective
having an allergy or peculiar or excessive susceptibility (especially to a specific factor)
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
unattentive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Watching them gave him many suggestions for handling his own tin soldiers in a more business-like fashion.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was never absentminded or unattentive, for that might have brought the quick clutch of the elder Miss Ahlberg's bony hand into his own supersensitive crop of hair, and most of what was going on had enough interest in itself to prevent his mind from straying far afield.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He played with those of his own age, and he had likes and dislikes, as was natural.
