used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
(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 At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
basketmakernounUS /ˈbæskətmeɪkər/
someone skilled in weaving baskets
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
blunderers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
comediannounUS /kəˈmiːdiən/
a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
consignedverbUS /kənˈsaɪnd/
past form of “consign” — commit forever; commit irrevocably
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
elocutionnounUS /ˌeləˈkjuːʃən/
an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice and gesture
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
groundworknounUS /ˈɡraʊndwɜːrk/
the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
imitateverbUS /ˈɪməteɪt/
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
itemsnounUS /ˈaɪtəmz/
plural of “item” — a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
a unit of instruction
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
lo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/
United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
primaladjectiveUS /ˈpraɪməl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading Observation, imitation, lo! the groundwork of all art! the primal elements of all genius!
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
cut with a saw
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/
ready for service or able to give long service
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/
plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
precisely as stated
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
Waife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waife did not puzzle him with scientific theories.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All that the great comedian required of him was to observe and to imitate.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became prepared for practical success, we should discover that the most serviceable items in his education were never entered in the bills which his father paid for it.
belonging to which person
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the end of the very first lesson George Morley saw that all the elocution masters to whose skill he had been consigned were blunderers in comparison with the basketmaker.
