Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

(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 I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

plural of “arbitration” — (law) the hearing and determination of a dispute by an impartial referee agreed to by both parties (often used to settle disputes between labor and management)

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

an agent who conducts an auction

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

plural of “business” — a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

thoroughgoing

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

a boy or man

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

plural of “lawsuit” — a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

engage in

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

a form of address for a man

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

not any; not one

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

and nothing more

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

United States poet (1849-1916)

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

an educational institution

From this reading I mean to put him to a downright good school at midsummer.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

male cat

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

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

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

(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 The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.

a midwestern state in north central United States

From this reading It 'ud be a help to me wi' these lawsuits, and arbitrations, and things.

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

From this reading I wouldn't make a downright lawyer o' the lad--I should be sorry for him to be a raskill--but a sort of engineer, or a surveyor, or an auctioneer and vallyer, like Riley, or one o' them smartish businesses as are all profits and no outlay, only for a big watch-chain and a high stool.

a late time of life

From this reading The two years at th' academy 'ud ha' done well enough if I'd meant to make a miller and farmer of him, but I should like Tom to be a bit of a scholard.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _I.--The Tullivers of Dorlcote Mill_ "What I want, you know," said Mr. Tulliver, "what I want is to give Tom a good eddication--an eddication as'll be a bread to him.