| after |
If a girl is named after her grandmother, it means that her parents gave her the same name as her grandmother. If a boy is named after his father, it means that his parents gave him the same name as his father. [1/5 definitions] |
| anyway |
Sometimes we use "anyway" to say that something doesn't matter. Let's say your dad tells your brother not to run, but he runs anyway. This means that it doesn't matter that your dad tell him not to run. He runs even though he is told not to. |
| apostle |
An apostle is a person who strongly believes in what another person is teaching, especially in the area of religion or philosophy. When people talk about "the Apostles," though, they are usually talking about the twelve earliest followers of Jesus Christ, most of whom spread his teachings after his death. Jesus Christ was a person who lived about 2000 years ago. His teachings began the religion of Christianity, and Christians consider him to be the son of God and also part of God. |
| approve |
When the government approves something, it means that they have studied it or tested it in some way and they think it is OK. If a bank approves someone's loan, it means that they have looked carefully at this person's ability to pay back the loan, and they have decided to say yes to lending him or her the money. [1/3 definitions] |
| arrest |
When the police arrest someone, they stop that person and bring him or her to the police station. Then they ask that person questions and hold them there for some time. [1/2 definitions] |
| bathe |
If your mom bathes your baby brother, she puts him in some water and washes him. If you bathe your dog, you wash your dog. [1/3 definitions] |
| blackmail |
Let's say you did something bad and your brother saw you do it. You know he can tell your parents and get you in trouble, but he says he will not tell them what you did if you pay him some money. What your brother is trying to do is to blackmail you. He is trying to get money from you in return for not revealing your secret. [1/2 definitions] |
| cardinal |
a high official of the Roman Catholic Church who is chosen by the Pope and second in rank to him. [1/3 definitions] |
| constituent |
someone who gives another the power to represent him or her. [1/3 definitions] |
| example |
An example is someone that you should try to be like or try not to be like. If your older brother is a good example for you, then it will be good for you if you act like him. If a friend of yours is mean to your cat and you start being mean to the cat too, then your friend is a bad example for you. [1/3 definitions] |
| fool |
Being a fool was a job that existed in the past. A king or other noble person would employ a fool to make him laugh or to make his guests laugh. Another word for "fool" is "jester." [1/6 definitions] |
| half |
If you have a half brother, you share one parent with him but not both parents. Your mother is also his mother, OR your father is also his father. [1/5 definitions] |
| him |
When we talk about a man or boy but we don't say his name, we sometimes use the word "him." |
| his |
that or those which belong to him, are done by him, or have to do with him. [2 definitions] |
| hold1 |
Sometimes "hold" means to keep something for a certain time. If your friend asks you to hold his bicycle while he is away, it means that he wants you to keep it for him while he is away. [1/12 definitions] |
| indirect object |
the part of a sentence that indicates a person or thing that is indirectly affected by the action of the verb. In the sentence, "I made him some tea," "him" is the indirect object. |
| individual |
An individual is one particular person. Every individual has things that make him or her different from other people. An individual can be part of a group, but an individual is different in some ways from the whole group and from other people in the group. [1/5 definitions] |
| Jesus Christ |
Jesus Christ was a person who lived about 2000 years ago in the region of Israel and surrounding areas. His teachings began the religion of Christianity, and Christians consider him to be the son of God and also part of God. The holiday of Christmas celebrates his birth. |
| king |
A king is a ruler of a country and sometimes wears a crown. When a boy or man becomes king of a country, he stays the king for the rest of his life. The people of a country do not choose who will be their king. A man can become king only if his father or someone in his family was a ruler before him. [1/4 definitions] |
| lecture |
If your mom gives your brother a lecture, she is angry or upset about something and she talks for a long time to him about it. She does this in a very serious way. Maybe he did something wrong and she is telling him why it was wrong, or maybe she is warning him about something bad that could happen if he does something wrong or dangerous in the future. [1/2 definitions] |
| leprechaun |
an elf in Irish folklore who knows about secret treasure. He must tell the location of the treasure to whomever can catch him. |