Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

later than; following

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

maintain or assert

From this reading But _they'll_ never 'contend for the shade of a world.'

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

behave carelessly or indifferently

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

causing or capable of causing death

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

well in the past; former

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

remove the dust from

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

apart from; not including

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

press or grind with a crushing noise

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

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

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

and nothing more

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But _they'll_ never 'contend for the shade of a world.'

not any; not one

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

and nothing more

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

by chance

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

using language effectively to please or persuade

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading But _they'll_ never 'contend for the shade of a world.'

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

causing to become steady

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

the profession of a teacher

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

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

From this reading But _they'll_ never 'contend for the shade of a world.'

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

work hard

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

not suspected or believed likely

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

unaccustomed or unusual

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

the act of using

From this reading It's just a dull necessity to them--this business of learning how to use their mother tongue--except, of course, to Sheila.

under normal conditions

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

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

From this reading One September afternoon, Peter lingered in his class-room after his duties were done and his pupils had departed.

showing pensive sadness

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But _they'll_ never 'contend for the shade of a world.'

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

From this reading "If they only cared," he thought, "if they only cared a little for the English language, it wouldn't be such a deadly grind to teach I them.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He usually lost no time in shaking the dust of academic toil from his feet--and from his mind--but to-day an unwonted longing for some steadying purpose, some _raison d'etre_, made him remain to dally with the tools of his occupation, perhaps in a wistful hope that he might discover a hitherto unsuspected charm in the teaching of rhetoric to reluctant young girls.