adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
bestowverbUS /bɪˈstoʊ/
present
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
bluntlyadverbUS /ˈblʌntli/
in a blunt direct manner
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
commendationnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdeɪʃən/
an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
comparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
copiesnounUS /ˈkɑːpiz/
plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
copyists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
critic'snounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
possessive form of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
CriticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
damningadjectiveUS /ˈdæmɪŋ/
threatening with damnation
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
defectsnounUS /ˈdiːfekts/
plural of “defect” — an imperfection in a bodily system
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
DickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
discriminationnounUS /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/
unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
disposingverbUS /dɪˈspoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “dispose” — give, sell, or transfer to another
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
equalsnounUS /ˈiːkwəlz/
plural of “equal” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
eulogynounUS /ˈjuːlədʒi/
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
excellences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
fineradjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnər/
(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
good-naturedadjective
having an easygoing and cheerful disposition
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
imitatorsnounUS /ˈɪmɪteɪtərz/
plural of “imitator” — someone who (fraudulently) assumes the appearance of another
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
incapables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
justicenounUS /ˈdʒʌstəs/
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
meritoriousadjectiveUS /ˌmerəˈtɔːriəs/
deserving reward or praise
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
novelistnounUS /ˈnɑːvələst/
one who writes novels
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
paintersnounUS /ˈpeɪntərz/
plural of “painter” — an artist who paints
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
qualitiesnounUS /ˈkwɑːlətiz/
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
smotheringadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/
causing difficulty in breathing especially through lack of fresh air and presence of heat
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
TennysonnounUS /ˈtenɪsən/
Englishman and Victorian poet (1809-1892)
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
thoughtlessadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtləs/
showing lack of careful thought
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Criticism by comparison is the refuge of incapables, and especially is this true in literature.
unjustadjectiveUS /ənˈdʒʌst/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading If, indeed, the poet and novelist are mere imitators of a model and copyists of a style, they may be dismissed with such commendation as we bestow upon the machines who pass their lives in making bad copies of the pictures of the great painters.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading What is the justice of damning a meritorious novelist by comparing him with Dickens, and smothering him with thoughtless and good-natured eulogy?
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading The poet and the novelist may be well enough, and probably have qualities and gifts of their own which are worth the critic's attention, if he has any time to bestow on them; and it is certainly unjust to subject them to a comparison with somebody else, merely because the critic will not take the trouble to ascertain what they are.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It is a lazy way of disposing of a young poet to bluntly declare, without any sort of discrimination of his defects or his excellences, that he equals Tennyson, and that Scott never wrote anything finer.
