adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
animalsnounUS /ˈænəməlz/
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
consistsverbUS /kənˈsɪsts/
third-person singular of “consist” — originate
From this reading The skill (continued he,) consists in making them talk like little fishes.'
contestsnounUS /ˈkɑːntests/
plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading The skill (continued he,) consists in making them talk like little fishes.'
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
envying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
fablesnounUS /ˈfeɪbəlz/
plural of “fable” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
fancifuladjectiveUS /ˈfænsɪfəl/
indulging in or influenced by fancy
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
fishesnounUS /ˈfɪʃəz/
plural of “fish” — any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
flyverbUS /flaɪ/
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
fortunateadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənət/
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
GoldsmithnounUS /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/
an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/
an occurrence of something
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
introducedverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːst/
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
JoshuanounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːə/
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
JupiternounUS /ˈdʒuːpətər/
the largest planet and the 5th from the sun; has many satellites and is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
laughingadjectiveUS /ˈlæfɪŋ/
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The skill (continued he,) consists in making them talk like little fishes.'
listsnounUS /lɪsts/
plural of “list” — a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The skill (continued he,) consists in making them talk like little fishes.'
mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
petitionedverbUS /pəˈtɪʃənd/
past form of “petition” — write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
ReynoldsnounUS /ˈrenəldz/
English portrait painter and first president of the Royal Academy (1723-1792)
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
shakingnounUS /ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
sidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading The skill (continued he,) consists in making them talk like little fishes.'
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading 'For instance, (said he,) the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
wittyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪti/
combining clever conception and facetious expression
From this reading Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals introduced seldom talk in character.
