used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
abandonverbUS /əˈbændən/
forsake, leave behind
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That will be the end of it.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading Only upon the stage, I feel convinced, will people take me seriously.
Cummins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading That will be the end of it.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Only upon the stage, I feel convinced, will people take me seriously.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
ill-fitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
go away from a place
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
not any; not one
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
and nothing more
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
a judge of a probate court
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Only upon the stage, I feel convinced, will people take me seriously.
posingnounUS /ˈpoʊzɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
pseudonymnounUS /ˈsuːdənɪm/
a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
saneadjectiveUS /seɪn/
mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
self-effacementnoun
withdrawing into the background; making yourself inconspicuous
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
in a serious manner
From this reading Only upon the stage, I feel convinced, will people take me seriously.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
carry out
From this reading Only upon the stage, I feel convinced, will people take me seriously.
tattersnounUS /ˈtætərz/
plural of “tatter” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That will be the end of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
a special situation
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It seems my only resort—“to hold the mirror up to Nature.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading For in the ordinary life, I will confess, no one now seems to regard me as both sane and sober.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading I doubt, indeed, whether I should not abandon the struggle altogether—leave this sad world of ordinary life for which I am so ill-fitted, abandon the name of Cummins for some professional pseudonym, complete my self-effacement, and—a thing of tricks and tatters, of posing and pretence—go upon the stage.
