used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
a youthful male person
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
divisible by two
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
at any time
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
fragmentnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/
A small part broken or separated off something larger.
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
not accessible to view
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
KennounUS /ken/
range of what one can know or understand
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
lensnounUS /lenz/
a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
Maddox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
by chance
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
the force of workers available
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
microscopenounUS /ˈmaɪkrəskoʊp/
magnifier of the image of small objects
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
and nothing more
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
a human being
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
shroudsnounUS /ʃraʊdz/
plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
not in physical motion
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Maybe it started when his father first invited him to look through a microscope.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
not known
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
precisely as stated
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
a vivid mental image
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was when he was a very small boy, but he could still remember the revelation of that experience.
at the time that
From this reading Ken Maddox could not remember a time when he had not wanted to become a scientist.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Only men, like his father, with special instruments and wisdom and knowledge, could ever hope to understand the world of the unknown, which the ordinary person did not even suspect.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He remembered how it had seemed, on looking away from the lens, that the whole world of normal vision was only a fragment of that which was hidden behind curtains and shrouds and locked doors.
