used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boy’s progress might have been slow, but it would have been sure.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
centsnounUS /sents/
plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
defectiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfektɪv/
having a defect
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
forgivenverbUS /fərˈɡɪvən/
inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
insureverbUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊr/
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
intelligentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtelɪdʒəntli/
in an intelligent manner
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
JonahnounUS /ˈdʒoʊnə/
(Old Testament) Jonah did not wish to become a prophet so God caused a great storm to throw him overboard from a ship; he was saved by being swallowed by a whale that vomited him out onto dry land
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
lawyer'snounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
possessive form of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The boy’s progress might have been slow, but it would have been sure.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
professionsnounUS /prəˈfeʃənz/
plural of “profession” — the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The boy’s progress might have been slow, but it would have been sure.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
scribeverbUS /skraɪb/
score a line on with a pointed instrument, as in metalworking
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading The boy’s progress might have been slow, but it would have been sure.
a male human offspring
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The boy’s progress might have been slow, but it would have been sure.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Jonah Wood was bitterly disappointed in his son.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The old man could have forgiven him his defective appreciation in the matter of dollars and cents, however, if he had shown the slightest inclination to adopt one of the regular professions; in other words, if George had ceased to waste his time in the attempt to earn money with his pen, and had submitted to becoming a scribe in a lawyer’s office, old Wood would have been satisfied.
a late time of life
From this reading During five and twenty years he had looked in vain for the development of those qualities in George, which alone, in his opinion, could insure success.
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 But though George could talk intelligently about the great movements of business in New York, it was clear by this time that he did not possess what his father called business instincts.
