used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
in addition
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
authenticitynounUS /ˌɔːθənˈtɪsɪti/
undisputed credibility
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
biographicaladjectiveUS /ˌbaɪəˈɡræfɪkəl/
of or relating to or being biography
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
BoswellnounUS /ˈbɑːzwel/
Scottish author noted for his biography of Samuel Johnson (1740-1795)
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
Boswell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
ContinentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
eccentricitynounUS /ˌeksənˈtrɪsəti/
strange and unconventional behavior
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
forgivenverbUS /fərˈɡɪvən/
inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
an established custom
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
to a great degree or extent
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
absolutely essential
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
and nothing more
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
Paoli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
by chance
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
unusual or striking
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
tabletsnounUS /ˈtæbləts/
plural of “tablet” — a slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
Thrale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
in the direction of
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
two-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man of forty is more easily forgiven some eccentricity than one of two-and-twenty.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
precisely as stated
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
at the time that
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The habit which annoyed Mrs. Thrale was necessary to Boswell's conception of his task; it involved what he spoke of as his 'authenticity.'
which person or people
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading To understand what he meant by this, an attitude perhaps not only towards himself, but to the public also, since he wished very much that those who read his book should feel that it was true in every detail, we must examine more nearly Boswell's method of carrying out his biographical plan.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet we find Boswell, during his travels on the Continent, tablets in hand on his first visit to Paoli, who gives an amusing account of him:
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It is remarkable that Boswell should have begun his system of recording when quite a young man.
