1896
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
CambridgenounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/
a university in England
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
collegenounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
competitionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈtɪʃən/
a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
LadiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
Radcliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
SchoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
visitedverbUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
Wellesley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I was a little girl, I visited Wellesley and surprised my friends by the announcement, "Some day I shall go to college--but I shall go to Harvard!"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
wiseadjectiveUS /waɪz/
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The thought of going to college took root in my heart and became an earnest desire, which impelled me to enter into competition for a degree with seeing and hearing girls, in the face of the strong opposition of many true and wise friends.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When asked why I would not go to Wellesley, I replied that there were only girls there.
YorknounUS /jɔːrk/
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading When I left New York the idea had become a fixed purpose; and it was decided that I should go to Cambridge.
YoungadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In October, 1896, I entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, to be prepared for Radcliffe.
