used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
(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 He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
babyhoodnounUS /ˈbeɪbihʊd/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
BENJAMINnounUS /ˈbendʒəmən/
gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
From this reading UNCLE BENJAMIN, THE POET.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
FRANKLINnounUS /ˈfræŋklɪn/
United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
godfathernounUS /ˈɡɑːdfɑːðər/
any man who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
an established custom
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
only a very short time before
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MRS.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading UNCLE BENJAMIN, THE POET.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
To recall to mind.
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
in the near future
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNCLE BENJAMIN, THE POET.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading UNCLE BENJAMIN, THE POET.
the act of using
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
at the time that
From this reading FRANKLIN has said that she could hardly remember the time in her son's childhood when he could not read.
which person or people
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He emerged almost from babyhood a reader, and soon began to "devour"--to use the word then applied to his habit--all the books that fell within his reach.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
a late time of life
From this reading When about four years old he became much interested in stories told him by his father of his Uncle Benjamin, the poet, who lived in England, and for whom he had been named, and who, it was hoped, would come to the new country and be his godfather.
