used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
in actual fact
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
(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 One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
castsnounUS /kæsts/
plural of “cast” — the actors in a play
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
chroniclernounUS /ˈkrɑːnɪklər/
someone who writes chronicles
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
contemporaryadjectiveUS /kənˈtempəreri/
characteristic of the present
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
divisible by two
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
to an extreme degree
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
fettersnounUS /ˈfetərz/
plural of “fetter” — a shackle for the ankles or feet
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
hangsnounUS /hæŋz/
plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
historiesnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
life-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
linkverbUS /lɪŋk/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
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 They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
not any; not one
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
partialitynounUS /ˌpɑːrʃiˈæləti/
a predisposition to like something
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
prejudicenounUS /ˈpredʒədɪs/
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
with low volume
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
relateverbUS /rɪˈleɪt/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
romancesnounUS /roʊˈmænsɪz/
plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
carry out
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
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 How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
express in words
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
tellernounUS /ˈtelər/
United States physicist (born in Hungary) who worked on the first atom bomb and the first hydrogen bomb (1908-2003)
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
transactionsnounUS /trænˈzækʃənz/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
precisely as stated
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading They have a faint idea that it may have been so--some notion that such matters did very likely take place; but not that firm conviction, that deep and life-like impression of the transactions which they relate, that gives vivid identity to the narrative.
nonexistent
From this reading There is some link in the evidence wanting, some apparent partiality in the contemporary chronicler, some prejudice on the part of the near teller of the tale, which casts a suspicion over all.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading How quietly one sits down to tell events in a tale like this, which made a vast sensation at the time they happened.
which person or people
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
produce a literary work
From this reading One reason, I believe, why half the romances and almost all the histories in the world are so exceedingly dull, is, that the people who write them do not believe that the things they record actually happened--no, not even in their histories.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading There is always a doubt about history, which hangs round and fetters the mind of the writer, and is even increased by the accuracy of his research.
