actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
boyism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
breechedadjective
dressed in trousers
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənd/
characterized by great determination
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
envynounUS /ˈenvi/
a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
establishmentsnounUS /eˈstæblɪʃmənts/
plural of “establishment” — the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
excusableadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzəbəl/
capable of being overlooked
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/
something many people believe that is false
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
GreyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
incidentnounUS /ˈɪnsədənt/
a single distinct event
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
infancynounUS /ˈɪnfənsi/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
injureverbUS /ˈɪndʒər/
cause injuries or bodily harm to
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
insistedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəd/
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
nursesnounUS /ˈnɜːrsəz/
plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
pridenounUS /praɪd/
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
rebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
solicitudenounUS /səˈlɪsɪtuːd/
a feeling of excessive concern
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this crisis it was discovered that he had been spoiled, and it was determined that he should be sent to school.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The solicitude of the most affectionate of mothers, and the care of the most attentive of nurses, did their best to injure an excellent constitution.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are not aware that the infancy of Vivian Grey was distinguished by any extraordinary incident.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But Vivian was an only child, and these exertions were therefore excusable.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading For the first five years of his life, with his curly locks and his fancy dress, he was the pride of his own and the envy of all neighbouring establishments; but, in process of time, the spirit of boyism began to develop itself, and Vivian not only would brush his hair straight and rebel against his nurse, but actually insisted upon being--breeched!
