used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
terminate
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
classicaladjectiveUS /ˈklæsɪkəl/
of or relating to the first significant period of a civilization, culture, area of study, etc.
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
conventionnounUS /kənˈvenʃən/
a large formal assembly
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
currentlyadverbUS /ˈkɜːrəntli/
at this time or period; now
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
DissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
one or the other of two
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
give expression to
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
GermanynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
not accessible to view
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
modelsnounUS /ˈmɑːdəlz/
plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
prevalentadjectiveUS /ˈprevələnt/
most frequent or common
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
reversionnounUS /rɪˈvɜːrʒən/
(law) an interest in an estate that reverts to the grantor (or his heirs) at the end of some period (e.g., the death of the grantee)
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
revolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading But, as original creative genius is not always forthcoming, a literary revolution commonly begins with imitation.
seeksnounUS /siːks/
plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
Spenserians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
substitutesnounUS /ˈsʌbstətuːts/
plural of “substitute” — a person or thing that takes or can take the place of another
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
typesnounUS /taɪps/
plural of “type” — a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
veneernounUS /vəˈnɪr/
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading In every country of Europe the classical tradition had hidden whatever was most national, most individual, in its earlier culture, under a smooth, uniform veneer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It seeks inspiration in the past, and substitutes a new set of models as different as possible from those which it finds currently followed.
wiselyadverbUS /ˈwaɪzli/
in a wise manner
From this reading To break away from modern convention, England and Germany, and afterward France, went back to ancient springs of national life; not always, at first, wisely, but in obedience to a true instinct.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Spenserians Dissatisfaction with a prevalent mood or fashion in literature is apt to express itself either in a fresh and independent criticism of life, or in a reversion to older types.
