used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
accustoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
advantagesnounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
in addition
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
Alsop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
Alsop's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
ArchernounUS /ˈɑːrtʃər/
a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
the two together, not just one
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
a youthful male person
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
defeatnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
examplesnounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/
plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
IMPRESSIONSnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
incidentaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪˈdentəl/
(sometimes followed by “to”) minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
innateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈneɪt/
not established by conditioning or learning
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
knocksnounUS /nɑːks/
plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
a unit of instruction
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
and nothing more
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archer came in from French next morning feeling depressed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
pleasantriesnounUS /ˈplezəntriz/
plural of “pleasantry” — an agreeable or amusing remark
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
precociousadjectiveUS /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam, however, could not avoid the impression that he was paying the penalty for Mr. Alsop’s defeat of the evening before.
Seaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
sharpnessnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpnəs/
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
suspiciousnessnoun
being of a suspicious nature
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
unmastered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Alsop had caught him on an unmastered point in the lesson, and had then made him the subject of pleasantries which, though they seemed to the teacher merely casual examples of his innate cleverness, cut the sensitive boy to the quick.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Of course the boy was foolish to be sensitive; one of the incidental advantages of the Seaton system is that while it may develop in the pupil a precocious sharpness and suspiciousness, it also accustoms him to hard knocks.
wrong-doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he felt himself innocent of wrong-doing, his pride and his sense of justice were both offended.
