used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
abbreviateverbUS /əˈbriːvieɪt/
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
aboundverbUS /əˈbaʊnd/
be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
absurdlyadverbUS /əbˈsɜːrdli/
in an absurd manner or to an absurd degree
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
matters of personal concern
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
(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 Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
move towards
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
concaveadjectiveUS /kɑːnˈkeɪv/
curving inward
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
convexadjectiveUS /kənˈveks/
curving or bulging outward
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
elevatingverbUS /ˈeləveɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “elevate” — give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
elongateverbUS /ɪˈlɔːŋɡeɪt/
make long or longer by pulling and stretching
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
at any time
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
give expression to
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
hagnounUS /hæɡ/
an ugly evil-looking old woman
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
half-amused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
Huysmans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
keeneradjectiveUS /ˈkiːnər/
comparative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
the force of workers available
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
mirroringverbUS /ˈmɪrərɪŋ/
-ing form of “mirror” — reflect as if in a mirror
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
not any; not one
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
pilgrimnounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəm/
someone who journeys in foreign lands
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
any competition
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
shanksnounUS /ʃæŋks/
plural of “shank” — a cut of meat (beef or veal or mutton or lamb) from the upper part of the leg
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
shaking convulsively or violently
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
spindlenounUS /ˈspɪndəl/
(biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No one ever had a keener sense of the distressing absurdity of human affairs than M. Huysmans.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
in the direction of
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
Trocadero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Trocadero is not a beautiful building, but to no one else probably has it appeared as an old hag lying on her back and elevating her spindle shanks towards the sky.
unaffectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈfektɪd/
undergoing no change when acted upon
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
which person or people
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Such images of men’s works and ways abound in Huysmans’ books, and they express his unaffected vision of life, his disgust for men and things, a shuddering disgust, yet patient, half-amused.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Every man of genius is a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, unlike other men, seeing everything as it were at a different angle, mirroring the world in his mind as in those concave or convex mirrors which elongate or abbreviate absurdly all who approach them.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet we can by no means altogether account for Huysmans by race and environment.
