adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
avertingnounUS /əˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
the act of preventing something from occurring
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
basisnounUS /ˈbeɪsəs/
a relation that provides the foundation for something
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
BeginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Bibbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
BignessnounUS /ˈbɪɡnəs/
the property of having a relatively great size
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
completionnounUS /kəmˈpliːʃən/
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
graduationnounUS /ˌɡrædʒuːˈeɪʃən/
the successful completion of a program of study
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
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 Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
milknounUS /mɪlk/
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
planningnounUS /ˈplænɪŋ/
an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
sanitariumnoun
a hospital for recuperation or for the treatment of chronic diseases
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
shakeverbUS /ʃeɪk/
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Edith met him at the station.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
trainverbUS /treɪn/
create by training and teaching
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading She gave his hand a brisk little shake, averting her eyes after a quick glance at him, and turning at once toward the passage to the street.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, well, Bibbs!” she said, as he came slowly through the gates, the last of all the travelers from that train.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading These and subsequent months saw the planning, the building, and the completion of the New House; and it was to that abode of Bigness that Bibbs was brought when the cane, without the nurse, was found sufficient to his support.
zwiebacknoun
slice of sweet raised bread baked again until it is brown and hard and crisp
From this reading Beginning at the beginning and learning from the ground up was a long course for Bibbs at the sanitarium, with milk and “zwieback” as the basis of instruction; and the months were many and tiresome before he was considered near enough graduation to go for a walk leaning on a nurse and a cane.
