used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
actressesnounUS /ˈæktrəsɪz/
plural of “actress” — a female actor
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
BroadwaynounUS /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/
a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
Clavering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
congratulationnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən/
the act of acknowledging that someone has an occasion for celebration
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
cynicaladjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪkəl/
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
the first light of day
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
a young female
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
hard-drinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
invokingverbUS /ˌɪnˈvoʊkɪŋ/
-ing form of “invoke” — summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
jazznounUS /dʒæz/
empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
immediately past
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
the sound of laughing
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
for more time
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
engage in
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
not any; not one
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
prettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
seasonedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːzənd/
aged or processed
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
in a serious manner
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
speculateverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪt/
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
push forcefully
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Altogether, he gave himself little time for thought, and if he felt at times an inclination to dream he thrust it from him with an almost superstitious fear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
unimaginableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbəl/
totally unlikely
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But for good or ill, it was a matter for congratulation that criticism was at last being taken seriously in the United States.
weakenverbUS /ˈwiːkən/
lessen the strength of
From this reading If unimaginable disaster awaited him, at least he would not weaken his defences by a sojourn in the paradise of fools.
in or at the place that
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would speculate no longer, but neither would he run the risk of invoking the laughter of cynical gods.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There was a jazz party at the studio of a hospitable girl artist where Clavering danced with several of the prettiest young actresses of recent Broadway fame until dawn, and drank enough to make him as wild as the rest of the party had it not been for the seasoned apparatus inherited from hard-drinking Southern ancestors.
