Chapter VI

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

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

serving or used in place of another

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading TOM GOES INTO BUSINESS.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

characterized by great determination

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

not to your liking

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

one or the other of two

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

yet to be or coming

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading TOM GOES INTO BUSINESS.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

person who does no work

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading TOM GOES INTO BUSINESS.

attractive and tempting

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

express in words

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

an educational institution

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

in or at that place or location

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

male cat

From this reading TOM GOES INTO BUSINESS.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading Never before had Tom’s home appeared so pleasant or inviting.

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

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In regard to the future, he had not determined upon any course of action.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

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

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He had often heard his father say that he “couldn’t have an idler about his house,” and Tom knew that he must do one of two things--either attend school or go to work--a most disagreeable alternative.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading His short experience on ship-board had fully convinced him that there were much worse places in the world, and that his grand idea of being his “own master” was not exactly what he had imagined it to be.