Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Poetry hath an advantage over prose."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

third-person singular of “bestow” — present

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

receiving or eligible for compensation

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

third-person singular of “conceal” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

plural of “conception” — an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

extended verbal expression in speech or writing

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

the quality of being difficult to grasp or pin down

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

an old form of “has”

From this reading Poetry hath an advantage over prose."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

based on or having the nature of an illusion

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

third-person singular of “lend” — bestow a quality on

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

moving easily and quickly; nimble

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

a governor in India during the Mogul empire

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

many times at short intervals

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

and nothing more

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

above and across; more than

From this reading Poetry hath an advantage over prose."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

literature in metrical form

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading Poetry hath an advantage over prose."

established beyond doubt

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

a prince or king in India

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

in an unfortunate way

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the quality of being meager

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

the quality of being significant

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

morally degraded

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

literature in metrical form

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

forceful exertion

From this reading "The charm of poetry," he said sadly, "is too ethereal to live in sordid company, and perishes oft in the handling that had only proved the vigour of prose."

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

at the time that

From this reading When the Nawab had concluded his tale, much discourse ensued regarding the unusual occurrences he had related and their significance.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

which person or people

From this reading "And," said the Rajah, who was a lover of verse, "how true it is that poetry lends an illusive charm to conceptions ordinary in themselves, like a lovely screen which bestows a grace on the scantiness it only half conceals.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading "But an advantage compensated on the other hand by the elusiveness of its lightsome spirit, its grace so easily lost," said a poet who wrote songs for the pleasure of the Court.