used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
BelgianadjectiveUS /ˈbeldʒən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Belgium or the Belgian people
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
BrazilianadjectiveUS /brəˈzɪljən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Brazil or the people of Brazil
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
country'snounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
deficienciesnounUS /dɪˈfɪʃənsiz/
plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
essaynounUS /eˈseɪ/
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
communicated in words
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
genuinelyadverbUS /ˈdʒenjəwənli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
of great significance or value
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
Jose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
justificationnounUS /ˌdʒʌstəfəˈkeɪʃən/
something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
the literary culture
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
not any; not one
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
on one occasion
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
a general conscious awareness
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
Spanish-American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
StudiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Author of "Studies in Spanish-American Literature," etc.
SwissnounUS /swɪs/
the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
Verissimo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The noted Brazilian critic, Jose Verissimo, in a short but important essay on the deficiencies of his country's letters, has expressed serious doubt as to whether there exists a genuinely Brazilian literature.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In this sense, too, it was no doubt once possible, with no small measure of justification, to deny the existence of an American, as distinguished from an English, literature.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In this sense Verissimo would deny the existence of a Swiss, or a Belgian, literature.
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "I do not know," he writes, "whether the existence of an entirely independent literature is possible without an entirely independent language."
