adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
AdventuresnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
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 I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
construeverbUS /kənˈstruː/
make sense of; assign a meaning to
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
despiseverbUS /dɪˈspaɪz/
look down on with disdain
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
detestverbUS /dɪˈtest/
dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
emperornounUS /ˈempərər/
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
envynounUS /ˈenvi/
a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
eunuchnounUS /ˈjuːnək/
a man who has been castrated and is incapable of reproduction
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
flatterverbUS /ˈflætər/
praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
FortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
gloominessnoun
an atmosphere of depression and melancholy
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
GreeknounUS /ɡriːk/
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
hatenounUS /heɪt/
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
inclinedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
Justiniannoun
Byzantine emperor who held the eastern frontier of his empire against the Persians; codified Roman law in 529; his general Belisarius regained North Africa and Spain (483-565)
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
LatinadjectiveUS /ˈlætən/
of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
monknounUS /mʌŋk/
a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
NotwithstandingadverbUS /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/
something you have to do
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
qualificationsnounUS /ˌkwɑːləfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “qualification” — an attribute that must be met or complied with and that fits a person for something
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
sentencenounUS /ˈsentəns/
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/
refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
tempernounUS /ˈtempər/
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Adventures in the person of a monk.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
vilest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
wickedest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With very little knowledge therefore, and with altogether as little virtue, I was set apart for the church, and at the proper age commenced monk.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
wretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Notwithstanding which, I could, on proper occasions, submit to flatter the vilest fellow in nature, which I did one Stephen, an eunuch, a favorite of the emperor Justinian II, one of the wickedest wretches whom perhaps the world ever saw.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading I lived many years retired in a cell, a life very agreeable to the gloominess of my temper, which was much inclined to despise the world; that is, in other words, to envy all men of superior fortune and qualifications, and in general to hate and detest the human species.
youngeradjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡər/
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
youthnounUS /juːθ/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading “Fortune now placed me in the character of a younger brother of a good house, and I was in my youth sent to school; but learning was now at so low an ebb, that my master himself could hardly construe a sentence of Latin; and as for Greek, he could not read it.
