used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
apprehendverbUS /ˌæprɪˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
aspiringadjectiveUS /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/
desiring or striving for recognition or advancement
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
assuresverbUS /əˈʃʊrz/
third-person singular of “assure” — make certain of
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
bindingnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
the two together, not just one
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
circuitnounUS /ˈsɜːrkət/
an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
complexnounUS /ˈkɑːmpleks/
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
contradictionsnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃənz/
plural of “contradiction” — opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
diminishverbUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/
decrease in size, extent, or range
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
erraticadjectiveUS /ɪˈrætɪk/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
hold firmly
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
inequalitiesnounUS /ˌɪnəˈkwɑːlɪtiz/
plural of “inequality” — lack of equality
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
intimacynounUS /ˈɪntəməsi/
close or warm friendship
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
metaphysicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
attach to a support
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
a group of people who work together
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
possession of controlling influence
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
prodigiousadjectiveUS /prəˈdɪdʒəs/
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
not often
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
unusual or striking
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
sustainedadjectiveUS /səˈsteɪnd/
maintained at length without interruption or weakening
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
possessing sweep
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
unfrequentedadjective
devoid of creatures
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So, in his faculties themselves there were singular inequalities, or contradictions.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
at the time that
From this reading His power of memory in some things seemed prodigious, but when examined it was seldom accurate; it could apprehend, but did not hold together with a binding grasp what metaphysicians call "complex ideas."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading I have before said that his knowledge, though it had swept over a wide circuit and dipped into curious, unfrequented recesses, was desultory and erratic.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading It certainly was not that knowledge, sustained and aspiring, which the poet assures us is "the wing on which we mount to heaven."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Increased intimacy with my new acquaintance did not diminish the charm of his society, though it brought to light some startling defects, both in his mental and moral organization.
