used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
conformverbUS /kənˈfɔːrm/
be similar, be in line with
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
criticsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪks/
plural of “critic” — a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
fignounUS /fɪɡ/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
maid-servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
maid-servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
engage in
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/
past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
primeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
express in words
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Art says one thing, nature another; and, in such a case, a fig for art!
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
a special situation
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
precisely as stated
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Nevertheless, it is true that critics make rules which life will not conform to.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I say with prime ministers and maid-servants, with philosophers and fools, "I've tried it, and surely I ought to know."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It may be objected that the result entirely depends upon the way in which a thing is tried, and that a very simple experiment would fail or might fail in the hands of a fool or a maid-servant, which would succeed in those of a prime minister or a philosopher.
produce a literary work
From this reading I do believe, from my very heart and soul, that there is not the slightest possible good in attempting to write a book regularly.
